GMAC Film become new grantee of The Sean Connery Foundation
GMAC Film is delighted to become one of The Sean Connery Foundation’s new grantees. The philanthropic foundation aims to accelerate positive change through strategic grant-making to institutions and organisations in Scotland and The Bahamas.
GMAC is among four new screen-education focused grantees recieving unrestricted funding over 3 years, and totals approximately £1MM:
● Glasgow Media Arts Centre (GMAC)
● Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE)
● Station House Media Unit, Aberdeen (SHMU)
● The Portal Arts, Glasgow
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
Christy Lauren, GMAC Film Alumni explained:
“My life has been changed completely since attending GMAC for the first time last year. Not only have I gained invaluable knowledge in film alongside practical experience on sets, but GMAC has massively helped me with my communication skills and confidence. I can’t imagine how much more difficult it would’ve been for me starting out in the industry without GMAC, and I’m incredibly grateful that I’m able to learn and meet new people in such a welcoming environment.”
For more information on The Sean Connery Foundation visit: conneryfoundation.org
Image: The Sean Connery Foundation visit GMAC Film
