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21 Media shortlisted for Kickstart award

Research institute

May 27, 2022

An innovative scheme set up to help young filmmakers with the first steps of their careers has been shortlisted at the national Kickstart Awards.

An innovative scheme set up to help young filmmakers with the first steps of their careers has been shortlisted at the national Kickstart Awards.

The Institute for Creative Enterprise (ICE) at Edge Hill University established 21 Media to create a route into the industry for 16- to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

Having been funded by the Government’s Kickstart scheme, 21 Media has now been shortlisted from thousands of entries in the Innovative Employment and Support for Young People category. Winners will be announced during a ceremony in London on 12 July.

Martin McQuillan, Director of ICE, said: “We’re proud of the young filmmakers who took the first step in establishing a career in film and television through 21 Media.

“This nomination is a testament to the hard work in providing opportunities for people who came through the programme, as well as the skills and talents of the young people themselves.”

Carl Hunter, Senior Fellow in Filmmaking for ICE, added: “After six months of the 21 Media programme, these young people come out with a CV that is something that a freelancer would struggle to get in two years.

“21 Media has provided a fantastic opportunity for young people from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. We’re delighted to have played our part in helping their career development.”

Young people who came through the scheme have already begun to make their mark on the film industry.

Among the success stories are a group who worked on Hamlet Within, which recently premiered at Cannes Film Festival.

The Ferryman, a short film written and directed by a group of people on the 21 Media programme, has recently been selected to show at Oakville Film Festival in Ontario, Canada.

A poster for The Ferryman film

They also worked on Stillness Rings, a short film reflecting on the second Covid-19 lockdown, which was shown at Keswick Film Festival earlier this year.

21 Media was established to provide access to the film, television and media industry to young people whose careers have been impacted by the pandemic.

It has provided opportunities to 21 young people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds who traditionally face barriers to entry to the film industry.

May 27, 2022