Lights, camera, action at Youth Film & Animation School in Kilkenny

This summer, The National Youth Film & Animation School will be hosting 50 young filmmakers and animators at a ten-day residential summer school in Kilkenny.

Described as ‘the Gaeltacht for creative people’ this residential camp is a once in a lifetime experience for any young person aged 16-19 years, interested in filmmaking or animation. This unique programme gives young people an opportunity to meet like minded people, make friends and learn about filmmaking or animation while producing a high quality short film for their college portfolio or industry showreel.

Last orders: Speedy and Tom bid farewell to Syd Harkin’s Kilkenny pub

Brothers Speedy and Tom McGrath finished their last shift at Syd Harkin’s pub - after a combined 72 years!

Young filmmakers will be immersed in the world of film making with practical training workshops, masterclasses, intensive shooting days and long hours in the edit suite. NYFAS offers script to screen training and mentorship through every step of the creative process; facilitating the students to actively learn the skills and job roles involved in pre production, shooting a film and the final edit. Students will take their scripts from pre-production to shooting post production.

Young animators will be given ten days of mentorship and training by the brilliant Matchbox Mountain animation studio and will have the opportunity to work with and learn from professional animators about the traditional methods involved in the animation process including hand-drawn and stop motion animation. Students will have a chance to write, design and create their own animation as well as recording the voices and sound effects and will also learn the ins and outs of character design, backgrounds, layouts and how to shoot and edit their animations.

With Kilkenny being the hometown of four-time Oscar nominated Cartoon Saloon, you never know who might pop in to share their experience, wisdom and expertise.

Over the years, the National Youth Film and Animation School has attracted young people from all over Ireland, Europe and even the USA for this one-of-a-kind opportunity to work at a professional level on a broadcast quality film production. Many young people have used their work with YIFM as a portfolio piece and gone on to attend film schools such as The National Film School at IADT in Dun Laoghaire.

The film school is funded by Screen Ireland. Industry support comes from Screen Guilds Ireland, Cartoon Saloon, the National Talent Academies Film & TV and the National Talent Academy Animation.

This unique blend of experience, practice and industry support makes NYFAS the course for aspiring young filmmakers and animators in Ireland.

The National Youth Film & Animation School has limited capacity and places will be offered on a first come first served basis so log on to yifm.com to secure your place.

The school runs from August 5 to 15 and costs €750.
Founded in 1991 Young Irish Film Makers (YIFM) is a dynamic and innovative national youth arts organisation that aims to develop talent, creativity and skills in young people.
To register your interest go to yifm.com