Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet (CCIS) have been appointed as the lead organisation to manage the new National Talent Academy for VFX by Screen Ireland.
The National Talent Academies, an initiative of Screen Ireland, was established to develop a highly skilled, diverse talent and crew base throughout the country, offering a wide range of skills development opportunities for the Irish screen industry.
Retaining the diversity and inclusion focus present across all academy initiatives, its ambition is to drive more Irish talent from all backgrounds and disciplines into the VFX sector and develop greater awareness of the sector as a career path.
Engaging with a wide range of key stakeholders across the country, CCIS will work closely with the regions, community groups, industry bodies and other diverse entities to form a Steering Group at a national level. The Steering Group, along with representatives from Screen Ireland will in turn guide the Academy and sign off on an annual workplan for its fund, valued at €600,000. CCIS will also begin an open recruitment process to appoint a manager to oversee the day-to-day activities of the Academy.
Colman Farrell, Head of Skills and Professional Development at Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, said:
“Screen Ireland is delighted to launch the new National Talent Academy for VFX, joining the agency’s existing National Talent Academy network across live action and animation. The new academy is designed to address skills needs for the VFX sector as it grows rapidly, and create opportunities for new entrants from a range of diverse backgrounds.”
Gareth Lee, Manager of CCIS, commented:
“CCIS is delighted to be appointed as the lead organisation to manage the establishment of the new National Talent Academy for VFX. The VFX sector in Ireland has been growing steadily in recent years and there is significant potential for the sector to grow even more. We believe the new Academy will play an important role in supporting the sector to address ongoing skills challenges by offering inclusive access opportunities for new entrants, as well as upskilling and progression opportunities for those already working in the sector. We look forward to working closely with stakeholders in the VFX sector, Screen Ireland, and the wider National Talent Academy network to ensure the success of the new National Talent Academy for VFX.”
Over the past 15 years, Irish post-production and VFX has become a leading hub for large scale international productions, underpinned by a highly-skilled local creative talent pool. Nominated for BAFTAs, Emmys and Visual Effects Society Awards, Irish VFX work is globally recognised, competing at the highest levels internationally. This recent work includes a host of some of the biggest films and television series in the world, from Marvel Studios’ WandaVision and Spiderman – No Way Home to Netflix’s The Irishman to HBO’s Game of Thrones.
About the National Talent Academies
The National Talent Academies, an initiative of Screen Ireland, was established to develop a highly skilled, diverse talent and crew base throughout the country, offering a wide range of skills development opportunities for the Irish screen industry.
The network comprises of the National Talent Academy for Film and Television led by Ardán, the National Talent Academy for Animation led by Animation Ireland, the National Talent Academy for VFX led by Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet and three regional Crew Academies, West, South and East, managed by Atlantic Academy (Danú Media), Film in Limerick and Clermont Enterprise Hub, respectively.
Learn more about the National Talent Academies
About Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet
Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet (CCIS) was established in 2023 to support the ongoing development of the cultural and creative sectors in Ireland, including Animation, Visual Effects, Games, Film, TV, Documentary, Post-Production, Immersive Technologies, AR/VR, Virtual Production, Digital Media, Entertainment Events, Music, Theatre, Performing Arts and Visual Arts.
CCIS designs, develops and delivers responsive, bespoke, flexible and subsidised skills and talent development programmes to address the ongoing skills challenges and talent needs of the cultural & creative sectors.
CCIS is funded by Skillnet Ireland from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.