NEW TALENT INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED FOR SOUTH WEST BASED FILMMAKERS

September Launch of Filmmakers Lab at Exeter Phoenix

A new talent initiative to promote filmmaking in the South West is being launched right here on Tue 18 Sep at 7pm with the first of a series of monthly events aimed at helping aspiring new filmmakers, providing them with support and inspiration for their projects.

The Filmmakers Lab which has received initial funding from Exeter City Council and Film Hub South West will feature a regular programme of creative workshops, guest speakers, masterclasses and film screenings and is open to anyone who is interested in filmmaking or in the early stages of a career within the industry.

This exciting launch event is FREE for everyone to attend and will introduce the new membership scheme and the organisation’s plans moving forward and gather feedback from local filmmakers about what content they would like to see over the next year. Filmmakers will also be invited to either bring along an object, an image, section of text or any other point of inspiration for the project they are currently working on. A free drink will be included on entry and there will be plenty of opportunity for networking.

Subsequent sessions will include a round table discussions on how to obtain funding from the BFI.NETWORK by Alice Cabanas from the British Film Institute’s Film Hub South West, followed by a Q&A session with Totnes based director Dean Puckett and a screening of his new short film, The Sermon.

Speaking this week, one of the Filmmakers Lab Steering Group Jeff Sleeman (Actor, Writer & Producer) said ‘Having been involved in a number of locally based film projects, both behind and in front of the camera, I know what a wealth of talent there is in this part of the world – not to mention some spectacular film locations, excellent technical resources and a very supportive creative arts community. As well as helping aspiring new filmmakers, our mission is to raise the profile of the South West as a desirable location to make films and create more opportunities for everyone involved in the industry here’.

There is an introductory reduced annual membership price of £25, or sessions can be attended for a small donation of £5, with bursaries available. This first launch event is FREE for everyone to attend, however we advise booking ahead as spaces will be limited, you can do so here >>

Details of these and other Filmmakers Lab events, plus information on how to join can be found on the Filmmakers Lab website.