Future Tuesdays Special on the Safe Return to Workplaces During Covid-19 with MMW Legal

The unexpected COVID -19 crisis has generated sudden changes to the workforce and the ways in which we work. Future Screens were joined by David Mitchell and Abbie Long from Millar McCall Wylie for practical techniques, expert advice and real-life experience regarding the safe return to the workplace during the ongoing crisis.

The team discuss how best to plan for a return to the workplace, whilst discussing health and safety and risk assessments, contractual issues that may arise, and also the Coronavirus Job Support Scheme.

www.mmwlegal.com

Future Tuesdays - "Wish you were here" with Grace Sweeney and Laura O’Connor

Wish You Were Here is an online oral history documentary project created by Grace Sweeney and Laura O’Connor.

The project is part of the Future Screens NI and Northern Ireland Screen initiative ‘Rewriting the Narrative’. The initiative sponsored a number of projects responding to the impact of Covid-19 on the creative industries in the following areas: community, creativity, environment, work/life balance & education.

Wish You Were Here was created as a way for older members of the community who were shielding or isolating to engage in storytelling, where their stories could be shared with strangers without them having to leave the house.

The theme that ties the stories together is ‘first time abroad’. Considering the current situation where travel is limited we wanted to transport viewers into the world of the contributors journey. The eight video interviews use personal archive, open source footage and archive provided by Northern Ireland Screen Digital Film Archive to take you on the journey.

Each video is displayed alongside personal archive images. These images have been used to create unique postcards. The postcards have links and QR Codes that you scan with the camera on your phone and you will immediately land on the video webpage. At the bottom of the page is a comment box. If you leave a comment for the contributor it will be published in a photo book at the end of the project.

https://www.wishyouwerehereni.co.uk

Future Screens NI launch new Future Creatives Competition

Applications must be submitted by 12pm 16th of December to n.toman@ulster.ac.uk

Future Screens NI is seeking to offer 20 Future Creatives the opportunity to advance their research and development programmes, advance their career ambitions and develop cutting edge technical solutions in their work. The call is open to PhD researchers, early career researchers, early career industry applicants, start ups, individuals and free-lancers. Successful applicants will be awarded £5,000 which can be set against enhancing existing research plans as part of a PhD, independent research, product development, innovation or professional development. Projects should be advanced with either an academic or industry mentor, depending on the applicant setting. It is preferred that those operating in University seek out an industry mentor and vice versa.

The Future Creatives scheme has been designed to enable participants to make a step change in their research and innovation by enhanced leadership and collaboration skills and developing new practices in the field of creativity and technology.

Applicants will receive a bursary of £5,000 which can be set against:

• Research or product development materials which will stimulate transformative impact within on the research or innovation programme

• A series of events or workshops aimed at building significant partnerships with transformative impact

• Costs incurred in collaborative working with external partners with the potential to transform the impact of your programme of work

• A professional development course which will assist you to meet your career ambitions

• Activity to support dissemination of findings including conference or trade show, attendance, or showreel production

Future information and call documents are available here

Video of the launch event available below

Minister for Communities Launches Narrative Future Call for Future Screens NI

The Minister for Communities, Carál Ní Chuilín and Professor Cathy Gormley Heenan, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Ulster University launched the Future Screens NI Narrative Futures Call on Tuesday 3rd of November.  Successful applicants will have access to up to £5,000 for innovations addressing the challenges of Covid-19.

Minister Ní Chuilín praised local creative industries stating that “The Creative Industries have demonstrated immense courage, resilience and creativity during the ongoing crisis in spite of the hardship that many of you have experienced.  This Narrative Futures Call offers you the opportunity to access funding for much needed innovations to address the challenges of the ongoing Covid-19 Crisis.”.  The Minister ended her speech by wishing applicants .  The Minister  noted the important work of Future Screens NI in building collaborative partnership stating that” There is no doubt that Future Screens NI have played an important role in stimulating collaboration across the creative industries, arts, communities and wider sectors.”

Professor Cathy Gormley Heenan thanked the creative industries for “Playing a vital success of the region providing innovation, technology, research, capability and skills that are essential to and driving economic prosperity even within times of crisis”.  In particular Professor Gormley Heenan recognised that “ Future Screens NI together with all of you within the creative industries have provided an incredible example of both resilience and excellence during Covid-19.  Each and every one of you are to be commended for your creativity, innovation and community building throughout the ongoing crisis.”

The Call Closes for applications at 12pm on the 4th of December 2020.

https://www.futurescreens.org/funding

Attendees were also treated to the premiere of "The Virus and Me" by Jordan Whitefield, Solene Guichard and The Chinese Welfare Association.

watch it here: vimeo.com/470495992

'The Virus and Me' is an animation inspired by anonymous research with the Chinese community in Northern Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

'The Virus and Me' is an animation inspired by anonymous research with the Chinese community in Northern Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic. 34 participants shared their experience of living in Northern Ireland, and how the pandemic has affected their livelihoods and families. Our hope is that the animation will raise awareness of the Chinese community’s experience of Northern Irish society and encourage conversations around inclusivity, belonging and community.