Film Market Summer School

Film Market Professional Strategies Summer School

1 – 5 July 2019

The Film Market Professional Strategies Summer School is an intensive and immersive experience for participants. It takes a collegiate approach to learning where peer-to-peer interaction and real-life networking are key. To help the process along in an enjoyable and informative way we have included evening screenings that relate to the world view of our contributors. The key note for this is peer group learning in an supportive and fun environment. It is intense and can be exhausting but our previous students have found it immensely rewarding.

How might you benefit from joining the Summer School?

The programme offers an intensive training regime across five days giving participants the chance to develop their project, business ideas & skills and to cultivate strong networks within the industry. The scheme also aims to foster collaboration between participants, speakers and members of the wider industry. We will have guest audience as well as guest speakers.

The programme content will be fuelled in a peer group environment by case studies of exemplar production companies and inspirational individuals. Supported by information on the state of the market, distribution, regional, national and international funding sources, production challenges, packaging and festival strategies, you will move toward having a clear picture of the right modus operandi for you as you develop and pitch your project.

Some of our previous high-profile speakers include:

  • Colin Pons – Course Leader of MA Filmmaking at Sheffield Hallam University
  • Maggie Ellis – Head of Film London’s Artists’
Moving Image Network (FLAMIN)
  • Alice Ramsey – BFI NETWORK Talent Executive at Film Hub North
  • Solon Papadopoulos – a winner of six Royal Television Society awards, a US Cine Golden Eagle and two BAFTA nominations.
  • Lyn Papadopoulos – an experienced 
script editor and reader currently writing for Hollyoaks.
  • David Wilkinson – producer and/or distributor of over 120 feature films
  • Carol Salter – an award-winning documentary director with a Fine Art and film editing background.
  • Beatrice Neumann – a sales and distribution consultant
offering advisory, educational and strategic services to
filmmakers, companies and institutions.
  • Alex Usborne – producer of has produced 12 feature films including Tales from a Hard City, The Acid House, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll and I Am Breathing.
  • Jay Arnold – an industry professional with over twenty years’ experience in
independent film exhibition, working in cinemas, film festivals
and in advisory, funding and strategic roles.
  • Rebecca Mark-Lawson – an award-winning fiction and documentary producer working with a range of diverse talent through her company Tyke Films.
  • Adrian Barber – festival director of Bolton 
International Film Festival. As a social documentary film-
maker and photographer Adrian has over twenty years
experience with a wide range of arts organisations.
  • Cherie Federico – Director of the Aesthetica Short Film Festival, a BAFTA-
recognised event which screens films from over 40 countries as well as attracting key industry figures from across the sector.

More details of the speakers are available here.

The programme of the summer school is being finalised but you can see a sample timetable here. Please note that this is an intensive summer school for film students and to fully benefit you should plan to take part in all sessions.

What are the entry requirements? 

This summer school is suitable to undergraduate or postgraduate film students although students from other media, politics and communications related courses will also be considered. Students are required to have some knowledge of the Filmmaking landscape and will be looking to develop a feature film or high level television drama or documentary project.

Please attach the following with your application:

  1. CV in English
  2. Motivation letter of maximum 500 words explaining why the applicant wishes to take part in the summer school.
  3. Description of the projects on which the applicants is currently working (maximum 500 words);
  4. (optional) Business development plan (only applicable if the producer is a company owner) or career orientation plan – this element is not compulsory but strongly recommended.

Please note that to fully benefit from the summer school, all international applicants should have a minimum IELTS 6 or equivalent.

How much does it cost?

The tuition fee for this summer school is £250 per student.

The fee does not include

  • local travel in the UK
  • travel or medical insurance
  • breakfast, lunch and dinners and beverages (unless specified)
  • accommodation

Accommodation

In the first instance, to arrange accommodation you should contact the Sheffield Hallam University’s Accommodation Services at international-accommodation@shu.ac.uk  for information and advice on available accommodation in the student halls of residence. Please note the following:

  • Accommodation in halls is likely to cost between £120-£150 per week for a single-occupancy bedroom with private ensuite bathroom, and shared kitchen facilities.
  • Payment for the period of occupation is payable at the time of booking with Accommodation Services and in advance of arrival.

Alternatively, there are many hotels located close to Sheffield Hallam University which offer discounted rates.

How to apply?

Places on this course are limited so we advise you to apply early to avoid disappointment.

You can download the application form here. Email your completed application to specialistroutes@shu.ac.uk.

Selected participants can make full payment online. Details will be provided once you have applied for the course. Once we have received your fees, you will receive a visa letter to support your application for a short-term study visa for the summer school.

Please note that we are not able to consider applications from anyone under the age of 18 years at the start of the programme.

Deadline for applications:

  • 15 May 2019 for participants who require a visa to attend.
  • 15 June 2019 for participants who do not require a visa to attend

Selected applicants will be notified whether they are offered a place within 5 days of the deadline.

Go to https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa to find out whether you need a visa to attend this summer school.

How do I pay my fees?

All amounts are payable in pounds sterling. Your payment must be paid in full within 5 days of receiving notification of acceptance

Once we have received your fees, you will receive a visa letter to support your application for a short-term study visa for the summer school.

Is there a refund policy?

  • If you withdraw has been refused, you will be refunded in full. Please note that you will be required to present evidence of the visa refusal

Find out more

 Email Colin Pons c.pons@shu.ac.uk