Screen Wizards Sought For Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's already successful movie industry body is seeking fresh blood to help continue its development.

The Stormont Arts Minister Carál Ní Chuilín is seeking to appoint new Board members to Northern Ireland Screen.

The Minister wants to bring a wide range of interests and experiences to the Board.

She said that expressions of interest are welcomed from anyone with an interest in serving in the screen sector, including those who have not previously held positions in this area.

For one of the positions, the Minister is seeking applications from individuals with expertise in Ulster-Scots language, heritage or culture with the skills to Chair Northern Ireland Screen's Ulster-Scots Broadcasting Fund for Culture and Language sub-committee.

The Sinn Fein Minister said: "This is an exciting time for the local screen industry. Northern Ireland Screen has been instrumental in attracting a number of major productions to the local area, including HBO's Game of Thrones.

"The opportunity to market our region to productions such as this, coupled with the support that Northern Ireland Screen, provides to local projects and the excellent education work which it supports, make this a very attractive position for those who are interesting in being involved with, and helping to nurture, the vibrant local screen sector.

"I hope that there is a high level of interest from members of the public with a variety of backgrounds, experience and skills, who are willing to use their talents to build on the recent successes," she said.

Minister Ní Chuilín is also encouraging women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities to apply.

She said: "I would encourage members of ethnic minorities and people with a disability to apply for these positions so that we have a board which is representative of our diverse society.

"I would also particularly welcome applications from women, as females are currently under-represented on the Board," she said, adding that Northern Ireland Screen's mission is to accelerate the development of a dynamic and sustainable screen industry and culture.

The organisation acts as a champion for the screen industries and is the single agency with an integrated strategy tying together economic, cultural and educational objectives.

It aims to build on previous success, embrace all screen product and be 'customer facing'.

The competition will be used to fill a minimum of five upcoming member vacancies and will also enable the Department to establish a reserve list, which could be used to fill vacancies, which may arise over the next 12 months.

All applications for appointment are considered strictly on merit. The final decision on appointments will rest with the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, following consultation with the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

The closing date for applications is 5.00pm on Friday 23 September 2011.

More information: DCALNI

(BMcC)