A bursary scheme has been set up by Bristol-based Wildscreen, the world’s leading wildlife and environmental film festival, to encourage aspiring young filmmakers to join the industry.
The six ROAR Talent bursaries are part of a new programme being introduced to this year’s Wildscreen Festival. Applicants aged between 17 and 24 who are passionate about a career in wildlife film production are particularly encouraged although the scheme is open to all industry newcomers.
The ROAR Talent Programme will provide a creative forum and skills hub to new entrants to the industry with a series of workshops and seminars during the festival week specifically aimed towards a younger audience. 
There will also be networking opportunities with peers, industry specialists and businesses to help aspiring filmmakers acquire the vital foundation skills and trade know-how needed to make their entrance to wildlife film making as successful as possible.
Each bursary winner will be invited to attend the Wildscreen Festival, which this year takes place from Sunday 19 to Friday 24 October 2014 in Bristol.
During the week, under the guidance of their own individual industry mentor, they will have the opportunity to attend daily workshops, inspiring masterclasses, film screening, seminars and networking events and mix with acclaimed filmmakers at the festival’s prestigious Panda Awards ceremony.
Wildscreen festival and events manager Cathrine Armour said: “The bursaries aim to tap into the wealth of young, raw talent that is out there and encourage new, up and coming talent within the industry.
“We hope to attract applicants that can demonstrate a true passion and flair for the many aspects of wildlife filmmaking from research, scriptwriting, direction and cinematography to production, sound, light, music and special effects.”
The festival is working in partnership with 18-year-old Irish filmmaker Dylan Bickerton on the ROAR Talent Programme and bursaries. Dylan has won several film awards at the national Fresh Film Festival and was invited to attend the Croatian Four River Film Festival and Polish Up to 21 Film Festival where his films were screened.
He also worked alongside other youth filmmakers on an Arts Council project Hot House and has worked with artists including Reeps One, Stig of the Dump, Lords of the Underground, Lazy Habits, More Like Trees, Dub Mafia, The Scribes and beatbox champions, Minamus.
After growing up in the Irish countryside Dylan has now moved to Bristol to progress his photography and film career and is setting up his own company.
He said: “The ROAR Talent bursary offers the chance for young filmmakers like myself to gain invaluable insight into the industry and enjoy a priceless experience, while the new ROAR Talent Programme will introduce an inspiring platform of learning for the next generation of wildlife filmmakers.”
For more information and to download a bursary application form, visit www.wildscreenfestival.org and click on the Apply Here section on the ROAR Talent page. Application forms must be submitted to ROARTalent@wildscreen.org.uk by the July 5. Winners will be announced by August 5.
