Future Filmmakers at KCS inspired by encounter with Oscar-winning Producer Lord David Puttnam

Transition year students from Kinsale Community School, with a passion for filmmaking, had the wonderful opportunity to meet Lord David Puttnam, an Oscar-winning producer, along with a group of film industry experts. This memorable event took place at University College Cork on Tuesday, May 16th. 

The KCS students have been actively participating in the 'Screen Careers for Transition-Year Students' program since April of this year. This innovative program is organised by Atticus Education, an online education company chaired by David Puttnam, in collaboration with UCC and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. Its main objective is to introduce students to the diverse and abundant opportunities available in Ireland's thriving screen sector, while also providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the art of filmmaking. 

Five KCS students were among the group who participated in the programme, which included weekly seminars hosted by David Puttnam, on wide-ranging themes related to the screen industries. Topics included creativity and identity, the future of cinema, animation, and gaming, as well as practical advice on how to get a job in the film industry and opportunities for creative employment. Within every session, students shared their responses and opinions with the award-winning producer. 

The students from KCS also received a personal message from award-winning director Lenny Abrahamson, who urged students to consider a career in film. “There is a great series of roles, opportunities and lives to be lived in the film industry in Ireland, which is thriving and has been thriving for a long time.” Students also attended a small group session for each school with Cork-based creative producer, Alex Brady, as part of the programme. 

Speaking about the ‘Screen Careers for Transition-Year Students’ programme Lord Puttnam said “I think this programme is increasingly important because the film industry in Ireland desperately needs bright and enthusiastic young people to see it as a viable and attractive career option. In the hope that I’ve convinced the students of this over the last couple of weeks, it’s now a question of convincing their parents and career-guidance counsellors. Personally, I’ve found the whole experience to be incredibly valuable, I’ve learned so much from these enthusiastic young people about what they watch, where they watch it and why film remains important to them.” 

Desiree Finnegan, Chief Executive at Screen Ireland, said: “As part of Screen Ireland’s strategy to invest in talent and skills for industry growth, we are proud to support this exceptional initiative for aspiring filmmakers to discover the wide range of exciting opportunities and career pathways available to them. The development of next generation talent is key to our ambitious vision of fostering creative screen storytelling and sustaining our highly skilled and competent crew base. The future looks bright and we hope this talented group will feel inspired to take the next step in exploring a rewarding and fulfilling career in the sector, building on the success and impact of the Irish screen industry on the global stage.” 

Dr Ciara Chambers, Head of the Department of Film & Screen Media explained,  "One of the challenges I face at open days is explaining to parents why it is worth choosing a creative course. While screen careers often work quite differently to more traditional pathways, they can open up incredibly rewarding job opportunities. As we have seen, the audiovisual sector in Ireland is booming, and there aren't enough skilled professionals to take up the jobs available. We've been really inspired by the young people involved in this programme and we hope they'll consider creative pathways. If they do, it's clear they will make a significant contribution to further developing Ireland's rich and diverse creative culture." 

The 'Screen Careers for Transition-Year Students' program has been an invaluable experience for the students of Kinsale Community School. It has opened doors to the world of filmmaking, expanded their career options, and provided them with guidance and inspiration from esteemed professionals. By participating in this program, these future filmmakers have taken a significant step towards realising their passion for film and contributing to Ireland's thriving creative industry. 

Lord Puttnam’s productions include Chariots of Fire (which won four Oscars in 1981, including the Academy Award for Best Picture), The Mission (which won the Palme d’or at Cannes in 1986), The Killing Fields, and Midnight Express.