ENGAGE 2009 brings together 24 filmmaking students and graduates (writers or writers/directors and producers) from across Europe during three residential workshops taking place in Ireland, Scotland, Estonia and Finland over a six-month period. The workshop dates for 2009 were as follows:
| Workshop 1 | April 1 - 3 | Dublin (three days, not including travel) |
| Workshop 2 | June 15 - 17 | Edinburgh (three days, not including travel) |
| Workshop 3 | September 14 - 17 | Tallinn and Helsinki (four days, not including travel) |
Successful applicants to the ENGAGE programme are expected to take part in all three workshops.
Building on the success of the first ENGAGE programme in 2008, which saw participants from 9 countries build creative bridges and projects under the expert guidance of industry practitioners and staff from each of the partner institutions, we were delighted to have been awarded further MEDIA funding for a new round of workshops in 2009 – and to have welcomed TaiK, the University of Art and Design Helsinki, to the ENGAGE partnership.
A collaboration between four of Europe’s leading screen practice institutions – the Screen Academy Scotland at Edinburgh Napier University (a Skillset Screen Academy), the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) at Dún Laoghaire (home to Ireland’s National Film School), the Baltic Film and Media School at Tallinn University and the University of Art and Design Helsinki (TaiK) – with support from the MEDIA programme of the European Community, ENGAGE offers a powerful mix of networking events, pitching sessions, project surgeries and case studies to help participants gain a better understanding of international co-production processes and the nature of collaborative project development.
ENGAGE concentrates on three key areas:
- Screenwriting for low-budget, international film and television drama
- Development and co-production of fiction and documentary features for the European market
- Production and distribution in the digital age
During the workshops, experts from each of the host countries will share their knowledge and experience of the co-production market to offer invaluable input and feedback on participants’ projects. Detailed case studies focusing on each of the host countries will provide further contextualisation of specific nations’ current audio-visual trends, highlighting similarities between other European countries, potential difficulties and opportunities for collaboration. To help participants’ projects grow between workshops, additional support will be provided by academic staff from each of the host institutions.
If you want to know more about international co-production and have a potentially suitable project you would like to develop contact Tamara Van Strijthem, Project Coordinator: t.vanstrijthem@napier.ac.uk or download an application form.
Applications for 2010 will open soon. Check our website in mid-December for more information