Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet to lead new Visual Effects National Talent Academy

Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet has been appointed as the lead organisation to manage the new National Talent Academy for VFX (visual effects).  

The impactful new project will form part of Screen Ireland’s National Talent Academies initiative and aims to enhance the skills provision for Ireland’s growing VFX industry.   

Over the past 15 years, the Irish post-production and VFX industry has become a leading hub for large scale international productions, underpinned by a highly skilled local creative talent pool. Nominated for BAFTAs, Emmys and Visual Effects Society Awards, Irish VFX work is globally recognised, competing at the highest levels internationally. This recent work includes a host of some of the biggest films and television series in the world, from Marvel Studios’ WandaVision and Spiderman – No Way Home to Netflix’s The Irishman to HBO’s Game of Thrones.  

The National Talent Academies, an initiative of Screen Ireland, was established to develop a highly skilled, diverse talent and crew base throughout the country, offering a wide range of skills development opportunities for the Irish screen industry.  

Retaining the diversity and inclusion focus present across all academy initiatives, its ambition is to drive more Irish talent from all backgrounds and disciplines into the VFX sector and develop greater awareness of the sector as a career path.  

Engaging with a wide range of key stakeholders across the country, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet will work closely with the regions, community groups, industry bodies and other diverse entities to form a Steering Group at a national level. The Steering Group, along with representatives from Screen Ireland, will set out a blueprint for the VFX Academy’s future success.  

Commenting on the collaboration with Screen Ireland, Gareth Lee, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet Network Manager, said: “We are delighted to be appointed as the lead organisation to manage the establishment of the new National Talent Academy for VFX.   

“The VFX sector in Ireland has been growing steadily in recent years and there is significant potential for the sector to grow even more. We believe the new Academy will play an important role in supporting the sector to address ongoing skills challenges by offering inclusive access opportunities for new entrants, as well as upskilling and progression opportunities for those already working in the sector. We look forward to working closely with stakeholders in the VFX sector, Screen Ireland, and the wider National Talent Academy network to ensure the success of the new National Talent Academy for VFX.”  

Colman Farrell, Head of Skills and Professional Development at Screen Ireland, said: “Screen Ireland is delighted to launch the new National Talent Academy for VFX in partnership with Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet. This new academy joins the agency’s existing National Talent Academy network across live action and animation. The new academy is designed to address skills needs for the VFX sector as it grows rapidly, and create opportunities for new entrants from a range of diverse backgrounds.” 

Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet was established in January 2023 as a consolidation and expansion of three existing and established Skillnet Business Networks, Animation Skillnet, Screen Skillnet and Immersive Technologies Skillnet, to support cultural and creative sectors. 

Further information about the programmes and supports offered by Cultural and Creative Industries Skillnet are available online here.