A WEST Midlands Creative agency has announced the next cohort that will take part in their six-month filmmakers development programme BACK IN.
Punch Records is a Birmingham-based musical and arts agency working through four central ‘pillars’ – creating, touring, programming and educating – through award-winning tours, festivals, international projects and innovative educational and outreach programmes for young people.
The BACK IN initiative has been running for two years and enables participants from the West Midlands to attend masterclasses, develop new skills and secure professional connections from the film industry, before concluding with the creation of a short film.
SESSIONS
Haydn Thomas, Daina Anderson, Julie-Anne Bansley, Abdul Ugas, Nadine O’Mahony and Joshua Solomon will attend the BACK IN sessions set to take place at ALCMY studios, an official partner who have donated their space to the programme for the third year running.
Filmmakers will be supported by mentors throughout the process to ensure they have a strong network of industry the figures to guide and empower them.
Curated by director and entrepreneur Daniel Alexander, participants from previous years have gone on to win awards for their short films, act in cinematic releases and create new media platforms.
“BACK IN has been an amazing two-year journey. We have seen 12 talented filmmakers excel through the programme and go on to achieve success after success,” said Alexander.
“Continuing in the path of the previous years, we have now launched the third year, which has again reinforced the belief that the Midlands is full of diverse talent that has not always benefited from the same access to opportunities as others.
“I’m looking forward to making this the best year yet and showcasing the regional talent to the world.”
The initiative furthers Punch’s efforts and commitment to make a real change to the ethnic minority imbalance found within the film industry.
Later this year BACK IN will take centre stage as part of BBC Digital Cities – a week- long series of events for the creative industries, offering insights, workshops, master- classes and free digital skills training.
BACK IN will headline the series, which will take place at the Millennium Point, Birmingham, where films produced by the previous years cohorts will be shown and then they will engage in an audience Q&A.