IFB Continues Support of Guiding Lights Mentoring Scheme
Lighthouse and Creative Skillset are delighted to announce that Guiding Lights, the British film industry's flagship mentoring scheme, is extending beyond the UK for the second time as its international partners, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board and FÁS Screen Training Ireland, have signed up to take part for a second year.
James Hickey, Chief Executive, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board said: "We are delighted to partner once again with FÁS Screen Training Ireland and Guiding Lights. Guiding Lights is a wonderful opportunity for Irish writers and directors to develop their career and add to their skill set and a unique chance to receive mentoring from some of the film industry's top talent. It is a fantastic experience for anybody taking part and one that will stand to them during the rest of their career."
Two Irish candidates will join ten UK-based film talents to be mentored over nine months by some of the biggest names in film. Previous mentors have included Sam Mendes, Barbara Broccoli, Danny Boyle, Gurinder Chadha, John Hillcoat, Kenneth Branagh, Paul Greengrass, Julian Fellowes, Tim Bevan, Christopher Hampton and James Marsh.
In 2011 the two Irish participants were Michael Lavelle, who was mentored by director Lone Scherfig, and Ursula Rani Sarma, whose mentor was screenwriter Simon Beaufoy.
Says Michael Lavelle: " One of the most useful things to have as a filmmaker on the brink of a debut feature is a mentor, someone who you can turn to for professional advice when the going gets tough".
"Lone was the perfect mentor for me. She was very generous with her time and support and provided me with a strong impetus to get several screenplays that I have almost completed to a stage where they are ready to go into production. I feel that even though the programme has come to an end I have a life-long friend, someone I can turn to for advice if I need it. That is an incredible thing to be able to say and I thank Guiding Lights, the Irish Film Board and FAS Screentraining Ireland for the wonderful support. I cannot recommend the experience highly enough".
Ursual Rani Sarma echoes Lavelle's comments, she says: "I found the Guiding Lights scheme to be hugely beneficial. My mentor, Simon Beaufoy, was extremely generous with his time and advice. The scheme was rewarding also in terms of gaining industry knowledge and experience and also for networking and building relationships with producers and directors who are at a similar stage to myself in their career. Often, working as a writer is a very isolating existence and it is very reassuring to be part of a group of filmmakers who are at the same point in their career".
"I can't speak highly enough of my time on Guiding Lights. It's great to be part of the alumni now and I'm planning on attending the networking sessions and on staying in touch with both Simon and the other participants. As an Irish participant, it was a really fast way of meeting a wide and diverse group of filmmakers in the UK".