CoSTAR is a total investment of £95.8 million - a research and innovation infrastructure to create new products, experiences and markets for the screen and performance industries. Hosted by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the CoSTAR briefing event in Cardiff (Monday 17 October, 2:00pm–4:30pm), provides an opportunity for potential bidders and consortia to learn more about the CoSTAR programme and find out full details of the application process including panel discussion, networking & refreshments. RSVP for the briefing and register interest to discover more. 

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Join Michael Sheen, Sophie Howe & lots more

The 5th annual BEYOND will be hosted by TV and Radio Broadcaster Jason Mohammad, to address questions around sustainably, designing solutions, storytelling, influence and impact as we look at how we can use creativity in a crisis. Join actor Michael Sheen, Sophie Howe (Future Generations Commissioner for Wales), Steve Smith (BAFTA albert), futurist world-builder Alex McDowell and many more inspirational speakers.  
 

BEYOND 2022 | 18-20 October | Cardiff & Online

The BEYOND schedule offers a line-up of inspirational speakers, along with sessions and showcases from across the Creative Industries Clusters and Audience of the Future challenge programmes. Addressing the role of the Creative Industries in building a zero-carbon future, delegates can look forward to a schedule of talks, workshops, networking and lots more, including partner programming from UNBOXED and Immerse UK. Check out this handy view - delegates can join in-person in Cardiff (18-19 Oct) and an online (20 Oct).
 

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland opened applications to a funding programme which aims to provide artists in Northern Ireland with skills in the use of digital technology to create digital art. Worth £40,000, the Individual Artists Digital Evolution Awards (from The National Lottery) offers individuals the opportunity to apply for grants of up to £10,000 and is open to artists across all art forms. **Applications close Friday 30 September at 12pm**

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XR Stories has partnered with BRiGHTBLACK to run a new development programme, launched exclusively for women, marginalised genders and those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. This free eight-week course will explore how to make engaging and compelling extended-reality (XR) experiences. Applications close on Mon 10 October.

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Environmental sustainability remains challenging for an energy- and travel-intensive sector like film and television and there is currently the need for a more holistic and integrated approach towards a greener screen sector. This brief authored by Dr Ruxandra Lupu, a Clwstwr Research Associate, addresses environmental sustainability in the Welsh screen sector through the specific lens of green innovation, exploring the opportunities and challenges surrounding it and how this approach can create an effective transition towards a net zero economy. 

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The PEC's Deputy Director of Policy Eliza Easton and Policy Manager Ben Kulka, have published a policy brief for the new PM and the incoming Secretary of State. The briefing paper looks at three key areas where the sector needs more support and investment. It also calls for expanded investment in the Creative Industries Clusters Programme, more help for creative businesses on the international stage, and more opportunities for creative organisations to innovate by reforming the UK’s research and development system.

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Lost Horizon, from Bristol + Bath Creative R+D, has been running Shangri-La at Glastonbury Festival for years. This year they brought their prototype from the Amplified Publishing pathfinder to the festival. Find out how they adapted the 3D venue to create high impact in a festival setting as well as managed the physical limitations and production of the event. This article reflects on the impact of the immersive event on audience members, the successes and future factors of hybridity being key to engaging virtual audiences. 

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New research from the University of Exeter, published by the PEC, argues that investment in the Creative Industries is key to year-round, economic development in coastal and rural towns.The research reveals that creative industry firms in Devon and Cornwall want to invest in the skills and careers of local young people. However, they are restricted by lack of access to finance and access to national and local government support. The researchers highlight the importance of training businesses to apply for grants and training young people about opportunities in the sector.

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Over the past year Dr. Liz Roberts has been working on a cross-cutting fellowship project for Bristol + Bath Creative R+D. It looks at alternative ways of doing business and the economy and what lessons can be learned to help make the South West creative sectors more fair, sustainable and values-led.

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Future Screens NI’s funding partners Northern Ireland Screen are offering New Shorts Focus. The fiction development scheme is specifically for under-represented new and emerging Northern Ireland resident writer and writer/director talent, in the film & TV sector. Eligible applicants must have at least one previous independently made or funded writer or writer/director credit at short film level. Applications are due by Friday 30th September. 

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Trailblazer, Órla Bligh from Bristol + Bath Creative R+D discusses the evolution of the Creative Trans* meet-ups set up through the funding and hosted at the Watershed. Read the journey and key learnings from setting up an inclusive space and the challenges in the industry. 

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Belfast-based AR studio RETìníZE recently completed a Future Screens NI R&D project resulting in an app inspired by the aeronautical pioneer, titled  Lilian Bland: Learning to Fly. The project’s aim was to create a mobile-based AR application that teaches children elements of physics and forces involved in flying an airplane. The AR experience was inspired by Lilian Bland’s aviation achievement as the first woman to design, build, and fly her own airplane. The app is available on Apple and Android.

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Join Bristol + Bath Creative R+D & Bricks Bristol at St Anne's House this October for Generous Food Futures, a free event on Saturday 15 October (1–6 pm) to explore food systems. Attendees can hear from local producers and creatively imagine how tech can be used to build generous neighbourhoods.

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A free screening of The People’s Piazza, A History of Covent Garden, as part of the London Film Festival, will be held at Odeon Covent Garden on 9 October, prior to a broadcast on BBC in November. David Olusoga steps back in time to explore the tumultuous 400 year history of the Covent Garden Piazza. The film is a co-production between StoryFutures Academy, BBC and BFI, mixing rich visual and written archive with the latest virtual production techniques to deliver an incredible story.  

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StoryTrails, the UK’s largest immersive storytelling experience has been travelling across the UK this summer, from Omagh to Dundee and Swansea to Slough. Showcasing hundreds of local stories and hidden histories using exciting new interactive technologies, StoryTrails is part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK. A special StoryTrails Residency at BFI IMAX will take place from 23 September to 2 October.

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Approximately 100 Venezia 79 (Venice Film Festival) accreditations and pass holders attended a Meet the British Creators panel last month. Supported by StoryFutures Academy, the panel and Q&A was hosted by Venice Immersive Programmers with British creators from projects including Kindred, Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom, The Light In The Shadow and Framerate: Pulse Of The Earth.

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A consortium including Paramount, BBC, Kings College London, Darkfield, White Light, D&B Audioteknik and MagicBeans showcased the results of their Spatial Audio Innovation project, to a packed hall at IBC 2022 in Amsterdam. The Innovation Accelerator metaverse project, led by MagicBeans, explored new ways in which spatial content will impact the worlds of broadcast and entertainment. The group developed a music experience that allowed audiences to free-roam around a live performance from MTV’s recent Isle of Malta concert, and a 6DOF emergent narrative developed by immersive theatre pioneers Darkfield.

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SXSW 2023 registration is now open!

Registration is now open for SXSW 2023. You can now buy your badge and take advantage of the lowest rates of the season, as well as the best deals on hotels through SXSW Housing & Travel. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features Conference sessions, Film & TV Festival screenings, Music Festival showcases, world-class Exhibitions, competitions, Awards ceremonies, and much more.

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