AWARD-WINNING ACTOR, JAMIE DORNAN, ANNOUNCED AS NEW INTO FILM AMBASSADOR FOR NORTHERN IRELAND AND PATRON OF INTO FILM’S EVERY CHILD A FILMMAKER INITIATIVE
Date Posted: December 3, 2024
“I hugely admire Into Film’s work with children and young people, and I am excited and honoured to be a new Into Film Ambassador for Northern Ireland and Patron of Into Film’s Every Child a Filmmaker initiative. I firmly believe we need to support the next generation in every way possible to gain access to the world of opportunities within the screen industries and I hope to help empower young people from all backgrounds to tell their own stories through film”
Jamie Dornan, Into Film Ambassador, Northern Ireland
Film education charity, Into Film, announced the appointment of award-winning actor, Jamie Dornan, as its new Industry Ambassador for Northern Ireland and Every Child a Filmmaker Patron.
Jamie Dornan is a multi-award-winning actor from Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland. He received Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award nominations for his role in Kenneth Branagh’s BELFAST. Dornan is currently starring in the second season of the critically acclaimed drama, THE TOURIST. The first season premiered to record ratings on the BBC and is currently on Netflix. Dornan’s other credits include BARB AND STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR, A HAUNTING IN VENICE, HEART OF STONE, ANTHROPOID, and A PRIVATE WAR. In 2020, he was named one of Ireland’s greatest film actors by The Irish Times. Dornan will next be seen starring in Netflix’s upcoming series, THE UNDERTOW.
Fiona Evans, Into Film CEO, said “I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jamie Dornan as our new Into Film Ambassador for Northern Ireland. I have already seen first-hand how he has inspired the young people involved in our Into Film programmes when he presented an award at our Into Film Awards last June. We are enormously grateful for his support and everything he will bring to Into Film’s programme and to the next generation of filmmakers.”
Sean Kelly, Into Film Programme Lead, Northern Ireland added “It’s fantastic for us to have such a successful, high-profile actor joining Into Film’s Ambassador team. Jamie is a great role model for young creatives considering a career in the film industry and I’m sure they will be inspired by his encouragement. Into Film’s team in Northern Ireland has worked on many ground-breaking projects including Story Builder, which helps young people create film and video game narratives, and ScreenWorks, offering workshops with leading industry experts to give students the chance to get professional, hands-on experience. “
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said; “We are delighted to hear that Jamie Dornan is now an ambassador for Into Film. Jamie’s incredible talent and his passion for storytelling make him an inspiring role model for young people across Northern Ireland. Into Film plays a vital role in sparking creativity and nurturing future talent, and having Jamie on board will undoubtedly amplify its impact. We look forward to seeing the positive influence he will bring to this fantastic initiative.”
Teacher and Into Film Educational Ambassador Victoria Polly from St Colmcille’s High School, Crossgar, said that young people from the school had the honour of meeting Jamie when they won the INTO Film ‘Audience Choice Award’ in London.
She said: “He was so generous with his time and showed a genuine interest in their film, ‘Cereal Killers’ – they were so excited that a famous actor had actually watched their creation! He was so gracious, enthusiastic and encouraging and many of our pupils have been inspired by him to pursue careers in the vibrant film industry here.”
Into Film have just wrapped the annual Into Film Festival with one of the most successful years to date, welcoming 355,860 children, young people and their educators to its programme of free screenings and special screen careers events. This included 4,987 attendees across 45 screenings in Northern Ireland held in 18 cinemas. 4 special events cardboard drive through, Copa 71 at Windsor Park, an Irish language film and gaming with Mario Bros. The Into Film Festival is supported by Cinema First and the UK film industry.
The core Into Film programme is free for UK state schools, colleges and other youth settings, thanks to support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery good cause funding, and through other key funders including Cinema First and Northern Ireland Screen.
