Sean Connery Foundation grant for Pilton’s Screen Education Edinburgh

  • The Sean Connery Foundation has announced four new grantees across Scotland
  • The philanthropic foundation aims to accelerate positive change through strategic grant-making to institutions and organisations in Scotland and The Bahamas 

The new screen-education focused grantees (in alphabetical order) are:

Glasgow Media Arts Centre (GMAC) 

SCREEN EDUCATION EDINBURGH (SEE) 

Station House Media Unit, Aberdeen (SHMU) 

The Portal Arts, Glasgow 

Following the establishment of The Sean Connery Foundation in 2022 by the estate of Sir Sean Connery, the Foundation is pleased to announce four new grantees across Scotland.

These are Glasgow Media Arts Centre (GMAC), Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE), Station House Media Unit (SHMU), Aberdeen and The Portal Arts, Glasgow.

Each of these grantees, along with the Scottish Youth Film Foundation (SYFF), announced in October 2022, support young people in developing the skills, knowledge, confidence and connections needed for work in the film & TV industry at a time when more creators are choosing to produce content in Scotland.

The Foundation’s commitment to these grantees provides unrestricted funding over 3 years, and totals approximately £1MM. 

Speaking on behalf of the Foundation’s work in Scotland, Jason Connery said: “Before he was a globally recognized movie star, my dad was a lad from Fountainbridge, and he never once forgot that whilst talent might be distributed equally, opportunity is not.

“By supporting access for passionate young people to the screen sector, no matter what their circumstances, we’d like to help dreams come true. We hope that young people with an appetite for visual storytelling and a curiosity about the many behind-the-scenes jobs that make movies possible, will reach out to our grantees and get involved.” 

Foundation Chair, Stephane Connery, added: “The screen sector has enjoyed strong growth in recent years as more global productions choose to shoot their film and TV in Scotland, providing good jobs for industry-ready young people.

“Our screen-education grantees offer a wide variety of programs that introduce participants to the possibility of a career in screen production, often for the first time, and provide a clear path into an exciting industry that is too often considered out-of-reach.” 

Each Foundation grantee delivers hands-on introduction to film-making that spans the entire creative process, from writing, producing, and acting, to sound, lighting, set design, costumes, and editing, enabling participants to try out the wide variety of roles available in the screen industry. 

In addition to accelerating interest in a full scope of film & TV production careers, the Foundation’s grants portfolio aligns with Scotland’s cultural and educational priorities. By supporting organisations focused on helping passionate young people create and share their stories, the Foundation is investing in a new generation of skilled storytellers and a creative workforce with the 21st-Century literacy capabilities vital to Scotland’s future. 

Participants in grantee programs report gaining valuable organisational and collaboration skills, experience in both advocacy and narrative storytelling, and increased confidence, laying the groundwork for fulfilling careers within the creative industry, and beyond. 

The goal of The Sean Connery Foundation is to accelerate positive change through strategic grant-making to education and ocean conservation institutions and organisations in Scotland and The Bahamas, the two countries Sir Sean Connery called home. 

About the grantees 

Established in 1982, GMAC Film is an open access media centre based at Trongate 103 in Glasgow. Our mission is to engage young people, communities, and emerging film talent from under-represented groups to: 

● Build confidence, skills and aspirations 

● Increase access to education, training and employment 

● Raise awareness of social issues through film 

● Create a fair, ethical, and diverse screen sector in Scotland

It achieves this through six main pillars of work: youth work, education, employability, filmmaking, partnerships, and community engagement. GMAC Film seeks to empower people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in projects free at the point of delivery so that low income is never a barrier to taking part, giving confidence, knowledge and ambition to those who become involved, allowing each voice to be heard. 

Euan Platt, CEO of GMAC Film has said: “GMAC Film has been championing diversity and increased access in the screen sector for over forty years, so we are thrilled to be selected as one of the Connery Foundation’s new grantees.

“This support will allow GMAC Film to sustain and develop its work across our wide range of programmes for young people, communities, and emerging film talent, and help ensure that more people- regardless of background- have the opportunity to use filmmaking as a way of conveying personal experiences, highlighting social issues, and telling powerful stories.” 

Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE) provides high-quality screen education, training, and production programs for all ages.

Originally founded as Pilton Video in 1981, SEE specialises in developing people from areas of deprivation, from rural areas and low-income backgrounds, those living with a disability, and those from diverse backgrounds. 

Graham Fitzpatrick, Principal Officer for SEE has said: “We are incredibly thankful for the support from The Sean Connery Foundation in establishing our SEE Young Filmmakers Hub.

“This funding will enable us to provide invaluable opportunities to young people between 12 and 18 who are passionate about filmmaking, regardless of their circumstances. With this support, we can help them develop the skills, knowledge, confidence, and connections needed to pursue a career in the film, TV and media industries.

“The vision of The Sean Connery Foundation, inspired by the legacy of Edinburgh born and bred Sir Sean Connery, resonates deeply with our organisation’s mission.

“By supporting local talent and inspiring young people in the city where he grew up, the Foundation is truly connecting with Sir Sean Connery’s roots.

“We are honoured to be representing Edinburgh in the Foundation’s funding portfolio and be part of the Foundation’s efforts to make a positive impact in Scotland’s cultural and educational priorities.

“We look forward to making a meaningful impact in the lives of aspiring young filmmakers and creating a more inclusive and accessible film industry in Edinburgh and beyond.” 

Station House Media Unit (SHMU), established as a charity in 2003, is one of the core cultural organisations in North East Scotland and is at the forefront of community media development in the UK.

We are a community anchor organisation, supporting residents in the seven regeneration areas of Aberdeen in film and TV production, radio and podcast broadcasting, traditional and on-line publications, music production and digital inclusion.

These platforms are used as vehicles for personal and collective change; supporting skills development, active citizenship, community capacity building and community development.

The organisation also supports other disadvantaged communities, both geographic and communities of interest, including an employability and training arm, and an adult services arm which provides support and opportunities for adults with barriers, including those who are criminal justice experienced and in recovery.

We are also and SQA accredited learning centre offering a range of high-quality film and media qualifications, including the delivery of the Creative & Digital Media Foundation Apprenticeship in secondary schools across Aberdeenshire. 

Murray Dawson, Founder & Chief Executive of Station House Media Unit added:We are absolutely delighted to have been selected by the Foundation for this award as it aligns perfectly with our core values; transforming the lives of young people from disadvantaged communities through creative film & media.

“This funding will allow us to turbocharge our moving image programmes with young people across the region; expanding existing successful programmes while introducing brand new initiatives co-designed alongside the young people who will directly benefit.

“This generous contribution from the Foundation will undoubtedly lead to raised aspirations of young people across the North East, supporting them to realise careers in the film-making industry, whilst providing them with a transferable skillset that will also build their confidence and self-esteem.

“We can’t wait to see the impact this investment will have on the young people who participate – and to watching all the great films they’ll be making along the way.”

 

The Portal Arts is an award winning creative media and arts charity based in Govan, Glasgow.

We deliver two strands of work; community media access and Creative Steps for positive mental health. Through co-creative productions, we use filmmaking as a tool for community engagement, to raise issues and represent local people.

Our socially engaged production model delivers media skills through participation, mentorship and training, with the aim of improving wellbeing and addressing inequality.

Creative Steps is a positive mental health programme for adults who are experiencing enduring mental health conditions. We also recently launched The Portal Studios, the film production arm of the charity, which focuses on impact filmmaking and bringing unheard voices to wider audiences. 

Moya Crowley, CEO of The Portal Arts has said: “We’re delighted to receive this funding gift from the Connery Foundation, which will allow us to create a significant body of work with young people from under-represented backgrounds, including those with neurodivergent conditions.

“We aim to break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and enable access for young people by engaging them at an early stage of the filmmaking process, providing them with knowledge, skillset, and confidence, through the creation of short form filmmaking and impact producing, on a broad scale.” 

For the time being, the Foundation is not accepting unsolicited grant requests.  

For more information on The Sean Connery Foundation: 

conneryfoundation.org

Pilton Youth & Children’s Project: New programme starts next week

✨ New Term Programme ✨

Our new term starts next week! Clubs are back on as normal and we’re excited to see all our children and young people every week until Summer!!

If you are new to us, please pop in for a consent form and make sure it’s signed by your legal guardian!

#YouthWorkMatters

#YouthWorkWorks

ROOTED in COMMUNITY

ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS FROM NORTH EDINBURGH AND WESTER HAILES

29th – 30th April 2023, 11am – 6pm (daily)

Opening event: Friday 28th April, 6pm – 9pm

Venue: Granton Hub (Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue, Edinburgh EH5 1HS)


Join us for ’Rooted in Community: Artistic Expressions from North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes’, an exhibition showcasing the work of local artists as part of Create Community Wealth – a collaborative community wealth building project, delivered in partnership between WHALE ArtsNorth Edinburgh Arts, SCOREscotland and Passion4Fusion.

The project aims to support local people living in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes to explore their creative and enterprising ideas, to tackle social exclusion and improve wellbeing and local economic prospects through creativity.

The exhibition, ‘Rooted in Community’, is a celebration of community and diversity, highlighting the unique experiences and diverse cultures of people living in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes. 

Through their work, the artists explore themes such as community, identity, grief and mental health, inviting us to reflect on our own experiences and engage with the world around us.

From colourful paintings to representative photography, sculpture, portraits and pencil drawings, we invite you to take a journey through the works on display, each one telling a different story about life in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes.

Through their art, these talented individuals demonstrate the power of community and the importance of self-expression.

For many of the artists featured, this is their first exhibition, and the Create Community Wealth team are delighted to support them in showcasing their work publicly.

The exhibition is a testament to the importance and power of community, providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talent and connect with a wider audience.

As we come together to celebrate the creativity and diversity of our community, we hope that this exhibition will inspire us to continue to support and uplift one another, as we work towards building a more inclusive and equitable society.

We hope you’ll be able to come along!

Council organises community cleanup in West Pilton

LAST week was a week of community action in West Pilton, where the city council’s housing team worked with commercial partners, tenants and local school children to spring clean estates.

After a build up of flytipping and littering, it was time to call in the skips and work together to help the community tackle problem area hot spots.

These before and after photos and CEC’s video of the clear up show the huge amount of hard work which was involved. Skips were collected over four days at West Pilton Crossway, Ferry Road Drive, West Pilton Park and Ferry Road Avenue.

In response to help from little litter pickers from local schools, 1,000 Easter eggs were shared out through West Pilton catchment schools, generously donated by ISS UK cleaning services and idverde UK grounds maintenance.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “It really has been a massive clean-up operation and I’d like to thank everybody who pitched in.

“A lot of hard work has been put in by many different people and a massive difference has been made. A lot of the rubbish was sadly a result of flytipping, which is always disappointing. It has been an issue in the area for some time and I think a lot of people will appreciate the efforts which have been made to sort it out. Let’s hope the estate can stay cleaner and greener for some time.”

Designed to promote community spirit and help commercial partners of the council to add financial and social value that benefit local people, the events were coordinated by CEC’s housing operations team supported by colleagues from waste and cleansing and schools.

The council would like to thank the following organisations for giving up their valuable time and resources to help us with waste collection, weeding, litter picking and equipment to help ensure a week of success:

ABM UK cleaning services

Belac Group Ltd specialist construction

Biffa PLC waste management

Changeworks energy efficiency 

Idverde UK grounds maintenance

ISS UK cleaning services

NWH Group Trade Waste Collection & Recycling Services

Pertemps Edinburgh jobs

Ross Quality Control Ltd building supervisors

ISS UK cleaning services

Idverde UK grounds maintenance

Everyday English at Fresh Start

Please share with your networks, co-workers and anyone you work with who could benefit from Everyday English classes, held in a welcoming and informal setting at Fresh Start Hub, 28-30 Ferry Road Drive.

Tuesday mornings – 9.15am-10.45am – Improvers English

Thursday mornings – 10am-12pm – Beginners English

These classes are run by qualified ESOL teachers and are designed to help people practice learning English at beginner level (Thursdays) and at intermediate level (Tuesdays)

Attendance is not mandatory, but it is useful if people wish to practice and progress.

For more information and to sign people up, email abigail@freshstartweb.org.uk

Fresh Start to introduce Saturday Night Suppers

Introducing Saturday Night Suppers!

This new initiative will provide local people and families with a bag of tasty ingredients and recipe card to make a lovely meal capable of serving 4-6 people over the weekend.

This scheme will begin on 3rd March and run every Friday throughout March.

If you, or someone you are working with is interested in taking part, please email cooking@freshstartweb.org.uk or call 0131 476 7741.

Please note, places are limited to 25 participants and all bags of ingredients must be collected from Fresh Start Kitchen on the Friday.

Attempted murder in West Pilton

POLICE are appealing for information after the attempted murder of a 28-year-old man in North Edinburgh on Thursday, 5 January, 2023.

Around 10.10pm, officers were called to a report of a man having been assaulted in West Pilton Terrace.

He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he was treated for his injuries.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen two vehicles, a dark coloured VW Golf and a blue Ford Focus ST, which were in the area at the time of the incident.

A blue Ford Focus ST was discovered burnt out at Fyles Farm, Tranent on Saturday, 7 January, 2023 and a dark coloured VW Golf was found burnt out at Howe Dean Path, Braid Hills, Edinburgh on Saturday, 7 January, 2023.

Officers believe these two vehicles may be linked to the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Petrie said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident, or may have information, to come forward.

“We believe this was a targeted attack and we do not believe there was any risk to the wider public. I am also keen to hear from anyone who recognises the vehicles and may have information about their movements.

“I would ask anyone with potential dashcam footage, private CCTV, or doorbell footage of these two vehicles, to contact officers as it could be helpful for our enquiries.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 3414 of 5 January, 2023. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.”