A NATIONAL academy which helps kick start young people’s careers in the film industry now has a Tynedale presence.

The National Youth Film Academy promotes the best young film makers and actors in the UK between the ages of 16 and 25, and has recently opened a base in Hexham.

It runs networking events, online training and offers opportunities for young people to showcase their talent to the industry.

Rob Earnshaw, from Hexham, founded the academy in 2011 and said a business restructure provided the opportunity to open a base in the town.

While the courses tend to be delivered from Birmingham, London and Manchester, and a number of people work remotely from all over the country, the film academy’s new administrative base is at Beaufront Park in Hexham. Rob, who attended Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School, previously helped casting directors find actors for films, before founding the film academy aged 24.

He said: “We are working with some of the best people in the industry and I think it’s quite a coup that such an influential company is in Hexham. Particularly as a lot of people feel there is not a film industry in the North-East and think it is very London based.”

The National Youth Film Academy team attended a careers event at Queen Elizabeth High School last week, which has already prompted some local interest in their courses.

Rob added: “I am hoping to try and get some really enthusiastic individuals from the local area involved.Whether it’s people who would be interested in joining us as members of staff, someone to give their time to advise us or enthusiastic young film makers.”

“As an organisation people pay to come on our courses, but I am more interested to hear from any young people in the area looking to create content or looking for advice - we are happy to talk with them and hopefully collaborate with them.”