A LAST call has been issued to young Cumbrians keen on getting involved in practical filmmaking for free.

Young people aged between 16 and 20 are encouraged to apply for a free practical filmmaking course with a short film shoot led by professional filmmakers at Signal Film and Media.

GET DIGITAL is a free filmmaking short course & film shoot taking place on Tuesday evenings from May 17 at Signal Film & Media in Barrow and led by professional mentor, director and writer Karen Bird.

Young people aged 16 to 20 are encouraged to try their hand at practical filmmaking during this month-long activity over May and June 2022.

Designed to promote leadership and offer new creative and digital skills to Barrow and Cumbria's young people, the workshops will include hands-on filmmaking skills sessions in using cameras, sound equipment, production design, editing & storytelling before putting skills to use in a two-day short film shoot, so no previous experience is necessary.

The training workshops take place on Tuesday May 17, Wednesday May 18, Tuesday May 24 and Wednesday May 25 between 6pm and 7.30pm.

The two-day film shoot takes place on Monday May 30 and Tuesday May 31 between 10.30am and 5pm.

The editing workshops take plce on Tuesday June 7 and 8 from 6pm until 7.30pm.

Project manager Kezz Turner said: “Filmmaking is such a cool and accessible art form as well as a hugely growing industry, so I think it’s really important we give young people the opportunity to explore it as a possible future career.

"Plus, it’s loads of fun! They’ll be getting to try creative skills with professionals they might not otherwise have the opportunity to be connected to - I’m so excited for them!”

Signal Film & Media isparticularly hoping to attract the interest of young people who aren’t necessarily interested in academia but love exploring digital technologies and/or being creative, or want to learn more about how to tell stories on film.

The project is funded by the Sir John Fisher Foundation, The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and the Francis C Scott Charitable 1 Trust, with the aim of encouraging young people to gain leadership and creative skills that improve their lives and help them gain confidence and self belief.

The programme is free, and financial assistance is available to help with travel costs.

Past participants have said about previous courses: “I wanted to try lots of different roles, so it was really good. Challenging, but good. I hadn’t ever recorded sounds before properly, so I did that and animated some bits, directed sections.. so it was all really interesting to try it all.”

“It gives me hope that my ambitions are possible, which in turn gives me a purpose and sense of optimism about my future. The friendly environment also makes me feel more accepted, when I often feel like I don’t fit in”

The closing deadline for applications is Thursday May 12 and priority will be given to those living in Barrow.

To apply for a place or to find out more about GET DIGITAL, visit www.signalfilmandmedia.com or call 01229 838592 / email kezz@signalfilmandmedia.co.uk