FilmSkills conference crafts the next scene in Baltic filmmaking & education
The event, focusing on teaching film skills, happens in collaboration with Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event takes place on November 15th at Nordic Hotel Forum, Tallinn. The conference celebrates the outcome of a 2-year collaboration between Tallinn University's Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, Latvian Academy of Culture, Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Estonian Filmmakers Association, and Lithuanian Shorts to study skill requirements for a variety of film occupations, update curriculums and find innovative solutions to teach film. More information about the conference and online participation option at Baltic FilmSkills webpage.
Baltic film industries and schools find themselves at a crossroads, presenting new challenges not only on how we make films but also on how we teach and include new talents. "The film industry is an ever-evolving, dynamic field, and our goal with Baltic FilmSkills is to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in it." – said Vytautas Dambrauskas, the Head of Department of Film and Television at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater when asked about the project's vision. “As the film industry is simultaneously growing and changing, it is important that we find new ways to welcome and educate new talents and professionals.”
"Historically, much of the Baltic film recruitment and training has happened via personal connections but rapid growth sets new rules and possibilities. The schools must provide new educational pathways that lead to a successful career in the changing film industry. The keyword is the constant collaboration with the industry but also re-training and micro-credentials for further education and specialisation", said Veiko Vaatmann, Head of the Film Arts programme in Baltic Film, Media and Arts School of Tallinn University. This means not only recognizing and rising awareness of the film industry as a whole but also each profession and skills it requires.
FilmSkills organisations agreed that in addition to upgrading higher education, we should also focus on collaborations with vocational education institutions. “We analysed an overlap of various assisting film professions and vocations taught at our vocations schools. For example, work in the costume department aligns with skills obtained in the clothing industry or studying tailoring and these are much in demand on set.” said Birgit Rosenberg, researcher for the FilmSkills project. As a result, Baltic Film, Media and Arts School developed micro-credentials for people who already have certain prerequisite skills, experience, or qualification. FilmSkills created 18 new course programmes for specific occupations on various levels, so that people who are already working in film can acquire and diversify skill sets.
If you are planning a career on set, you are a film professional, educator or decision maker, we invite you to discuss the future of Baltic film productions, occupations and education. Join us to script the future for Baltic film industry and education at Black Nights Film Festival or online.
FilmSkills Conference “Projecting Forward: Crafting the Next Scene in Baltic Filmmaking & Education” takes place on Wednesday, November 15th 14:00-17:30 at Nordic Hotel Forum, Tallinn. The conference will be also broadcasted online. Please register your attendance or subscribe to an online participation link.
The project and the conference is co-funded by the European Union.
