Screen Education Edinburgh (SEE) is thrilled to announce that we have been selected as one of the four new grantees of The Sean Connery Foundation. The Foundation was established in 2022 by the estate of Sir Sean Connery with a mission to accelerate positive change through strategic grant-making to institutions and organisations in Scotland and The Bahamas.

With the support of The Sean Connery Foundation, SEE will launch a new programme, SEE Young Filmmakers Hub, providing invaluable opportunities to young people between 12 and 18 who are passionate about filmmaking, regardless of their circumstances. This will include hands-on introduction to filmmaking 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.

Graham Fitzpatrick, Principal Officer for SEE, expressed gratitude to The Sean Connery Foundation, stating that ""We are incredibly thankful for the support from The Sean Connery Foundation in establishing our SEE Young Filmmakers Hub. This funding will enable us to provide invaluable opportunities to young people between 12 and 18 who are passionate about filmmaking, regardless of their circumstances. With this support, we can help them develop the skills, knowledge, confidence, and connections needed to pursue a career in the film, TV and media industries. The vision of The Sean Connery Foundation, inspired by the legacy of Edinburgh born and bred Sir Sean Connery, resonates deeply with our organisation's mission. By supporting local talent and inspiring young people in the city where he grew up, the Foundation is truly connecting with Sir Sean Connery's roots. We are honoured to be representing Edinburgh in the Foundation's funding portfolio and be part of the Foundation's efforts to make a positive impact in Scotland's cultural and educational priorities. We look forward to making a meaningful impact in the lives of aspiring young filmmakers and creating a more inclusive and accessible film industry in Edinburgh and beyond."

At SEE, we were delighted to have had the pleasure of welcoming the Connery family to our venue, where we introduced them to our learners and discussed our mutual interest in supporting young people's access to the film industry. We were impressed by their genuine interest and enthusiasm for our work. Screen Education Edinburgh is excited to partner with The Sean Connery Foundation in this shared mission of empowering young people to pursue their passion for filmmaking and contribute to the vibrant screen industry in Scotland. 

We will open applications for SEE Young Filmmakers Hub in the following weeks, to register your interest, please email [email protected].