What Is It?
Future Leaders of Screen is a free online programme for TY students in Munster, led by Oscar-winning film producer Lord David Puttnam and his team at Atticus Education. Students with an interest in film, TV, cinema, gaming, animation or writing will take part in small-group seminars exploring filmmaking, storytelling, creativity, careers and social responsibility.
Seminars are built around discussion, curiosity, and real conversation, giving students the chance to ask questions they wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to ask, and to hear honestly about the industry from someone who has shaped it.
Programme includes
- Welcome session – 1 × 60 minutes
- Online seminars with David Puttnam – 6 × 90 minutes
- Industry mentoring – 1 × 60 minutes per school
- In-person UCC networking and graduation event – half day, date to be confirmed
Programme Dates
Welcome session
Monday 12 April 2027 | 2.00–3.00pm
Online seminars with David Puttnam
All seminars take place from 10.00–11.30am:
- Tuesday 13 April 2027
- Wednesday 14 April 2027
- Thursday 15 April 2027
- Tuesday 20 April 2027
- Wednesday 21 April 2027
- Thursday 22 April 2027
Mentoring session
One 60-minute small-group mentoring session will be arranged for each school during the programme. The date and time will be agreed with each school.
In-person UCC event
A half-day networking and graduation event will take place at University College Cork. Date: 27th April 2027
Benefits for students
Understand film and the wider screen industries
Discover the wide range of careers available
Explore pathways into screen-sector jobs
Understand how the screen industries operate in Ireland and internationally
Explore sustainability and the green agenda in the screen sector
Develop creativity, resilience and storytelling skills
Meet David Puttnam and industry professionals
Build confidence and connections with other students interested in the sector
Who should apply?
Students with a genuine interest in film, TV, cinema, gaming, animation, writing and/or a curiosity about the wider world are a great fit. Importantly, this isn’t only for students who see themselves as “creative” in the traditional sense: the screen sector spans everything from directing and producing to law, sound engineering, carpentry, electrical work, casting and so much more, so students who excel in other academic areas are just as welcome. Atticus aims for participants from a range of backgrounds, in line with Screen Ireland’s diversity and inclusion goals.
What does the school need to provide?
- Nominate four TY students
- Appoint a designated teacher/coordinator
- Provide a quiet room with a stable internet connection and suitable computer/screen for the online sessions
- Ensure the teacher/coordinator attends the programme sessions with the students
- Arrange transport for four students and one teacher to the UCC event
*Travel expenses to UCC are not covered.
The Designated Coordinator
Each participating school must appoint a teacher or TY coordinator as the designated coordinator for the programme.
The coordinator will be the main point of contact between the school and Atticus Education and will:
- Coordinate the participation of the four selected students
- Complete any necessary communication and preparation with the Atticus Education team
- Ensure the required technology and a suitable room are available for online sessions
- Attend the Welcome Session, all six online seminars and the mentoring session with the students
- Support students throughout the programme and gather feedback
- Accompany the students to the in-person event at University College Cork
The coordinator should allow approximately 11 hours for programme sessions, in addition to time for preparation and school-level coordination.
Other staff and parents are welcome to attend the in-person UCC event if they wish.
We’d encourage you to watch our short info webinar recording before applying. It covers exactly what we look for in a strong application.
How are schools selected?
Six Munster schools will be selected by Atticus Education. Selection will consider:
- Previous interest in and enthusiasm for creative industries and/or global affairs
- Interest in the connection between creativity, technology and other subjects
- Interest in film, gaming and new media
- Commitment to encouraging students to contribute to their wider community
- Limited access to film education or local training opportunities
Successful schools will be notified by Friday 15 January 2027.
Designated coordinators will then have a video call with David Puttnam in February 2027.
How are students selected?
Once schools are selected, Atticus Education will provide an application form for TY students.
Interested students will complete the form digitally, after which the school will select four students who are best suited to the programme. The completed forms from the successful students should be returned to Atticus Education no later than the 10th February 2027
Online Seminar Content with David Puttnam
1
Identity
Introduction to the role of identity in a filmmaker’s work.
2
Film 101
A broad overview of the process of making a film and the different people that are involved in film/TV production.
3
Creativity and Resilience
How to develop and grow creativity over the course of your career.
4
Information and Disinformation
Focus on truth – how can students trust what they are seeing as citizens living in a screen-saturated society?
5
Music and Film
How a filmmaker interacts with music, and musical careers in film.
6
The Future of Film
Exploring the impact of recent developments like generative AI, virtual production and immersive technology on the screen sector, screen jobs, and how this will shape the storytelling of the future.
UCC Graduation & Networking Event
Students and teachers will be invited to University College Cork for a half-day event featuring:
- Informal graduation and certificate presentation
- Networking with David Puttnam and local film professionals
- Lunch
- Welcome address from Professor Stephen Graham, Head of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences
- A reflection on the programme from David Puttnam
- An opportunity for students to record their responses to the programme on camera
Date: 27th April 2027
Images from in-person event at UCC
What will students receive?
- An exclusive programme handbook containing ideas and questions linked to each seminar
- A Certificate of Completion
- Opportunities to meet and network with David Puttnam and screen-industry professionals
Apply
Schools interested in participating should complete the Application Form 2027
Application deadline: Friday 6 November 2026 at 5pm
For questions about your school’s eligibility or suitability, contact [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
About the programme
What is Future Leaders of Screen?
A free online programme for Transition Year students, led by Oscar-winning film producer Lord David Puttnam, covering filmmaking, storytelling, creativity, and social responsibility.
Is this just for art students?
Not at all. We of course welcome students whose strengths lie in artistic subjects, but there’s also a place for students who excel in other academic areas. The screen sector offers a huge range of jobs from writing, producing, and directing, to electrical work and carpentry, law, sound engineering, casting, and many more.
Eligibility & applying
Which schools can apply?
The programme is open to schools in Munster. Six schools will be selected.
How much does it cost?
The programme is free. An AV kit (webcam and microphone) is sent to each participating school. Travel expenses to the in-person event at UCC are not covered.
How many students can each school put forward?
Four students per school, plus one designated teacher/coordinator.
When do applications open and close?
Applications open 21st September 2026 and close 6 November 2026 at 5pm.
How do we apply?
You can find the application form here online application form.
What are you looking for in an application?
Demonstrated interest in the creative industries or global affairs; interest in the crossover between creativity and technology; interest in community engagement; interest in film, gaming, or new media; and limited local access to film education.
When will we know if our school has been selected?
Successful schools will be informed by 15 January 2027.
Is there a waiting list?
Yes. Selected schools will have two weeks to confirm their place. If we don’t hear back within that time, we’ll have to move on and offer the place to a school on the waiting list. The programme has historically received enough applications to fill the course two to three times over, so we do ask schools to only confirm if they’re able to commit fully.
Who selects the students, and how?
Once a school is selected, interested students complete an application form (supplied by Atticus Education), and the designated teacher chooses the four best-suited students. Applications must be completed digitally and submitted via email by 10 February 2027. If you have any questions about the application form or the type of student best suited to the programme, please don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’d be delighted to help.
The teacher's role
What is the designated coordinator?
The designated coordinator is the teacher at each school responsible for liaising with Atticus throughout the programme, Including selecting students, attending calls and seminars and organising the school’s involvement in the in-person event at UCC.
What is the time commitment?
The programme involves the following:
1. Welcome call with the Atticus team — after your school’s place has been accepted, we’ll set up a call to meet the teacher, explain the programme, and answer any questions.
2. Call with David Puttnam — all teachers will join a 30-minute call with David Puttnam in February.
3. Tech test — a short session with our head of technical development to make sure your A/V equipment is working and to troubleshoot any issues.
4. Welcome session — all six schools join the Atticus team for one hour, giving teachers and students a chance to meet each other.
5. Seminars — six 90-minute sessions: Identity, Film 101, Creativity and Resilience, Information and Disinformation, Music and Film, and The Future of Film.
6. In-person event at UCC — a half-day event at University College Cork.
Alongside attending each of these, the designated teacher is responsible for coordinating with Atticus, selecting students, and ensuring tech requirements are met on the day.
Can the designated coordinator responsibility be shared amongst teachers?
We appreciate how busy teachers are and how full their timetables can be. It’s preferred that one person takes on the role, but we can facilitate two teachers sharing the position. In that case, both teachers would need to be available for the intro call with David Puttnam.
Programme structure & schedule
When do the seminars take place?
Six 90-minute online seminars run between 10:00 and 11:30am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 13th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd April 2027.
Is there an introductory session?
Yes, a 60-minute intro call between schools and the Atticus team takes place on Monday 12th April 2027.
What topics are covered in the seminars?
Identity, Film 101, Creativity and Resilience, Information and Disinformation, Music and Film, and The Future of Film.
Is there a mentoring session?
Yes, each school has one small-group mentoring session with an industry professional, scheduled around the same time as the seminars.
Is there any homework?
There is no written homework, but students are required to watch a film (or films) ahead of the programme. A link will be provided in the course handbook. This is mandatory, as the film will be discussed throughout the programme.
What is in the seminar handbook?
The seminar handbook is a really useful accompaniment to the seminars. It’s full of information about the screen industry, including a glossary of terms used within the seminars, and details of further and higher education programmes relevant to film, television, gaming, and more. It also contains all of the seminar descriptions and sample questions students can think about asking David.
What do students receive at the end of the programme?
A certificate of completion, alongside the handbook they’ll have used throughout the programme
The in-person event
Is there an in-person event?
Yes, a half-day event at University College Cork takes place during on the 27th April 2027, including a graduation ceremony, a panel Q&A and a chance to network with industry professionals. Further details TBC.
Who covers travel to the UCC event?
Schools are responsible for travel costs for the teacher and four students.
Can we bring additional staff, students' parents, etc. to the in-person event?
Yes, we’re able to facilitate extra guests at the in-person day at UCC. Please contact Alyson at [email protected] to confirm numbers in advance.
Logistics & support
Are the seminars recorded?
Yes, seminars are recorded for internal purposes. We will provide a consent form for students’ parents/guardians to sign before the seminars take place.
Our school might miss one seminar, will we lose our place in the programme?
We understand that sometimes, for reasons outside a school’s control, a seminar may be missed. In that case, we can send over a recording of the session to be watched ahead of the next one. That said, if you already know at the time of application that you have commitments clashing with the programme schedule, we’d ask that you leave the space for another school.
I need assistance with tech, can someone at Atticus help?
Yes, our head of technical development will be available to assist with joining calls, setting up the A/V kit, and any other technical issues throughout the programme. There will also be a tech check before the seminars commence.
What do we need on the school side for the online sessions?
A quiet classroom with a stable internet connection and a computer, ideally connected to a large screen.
