Warner Bros. Ireland Awards First Scholarship To National Film School Student

Warner Bros. Ireland has awarded a scholarship to Daniel Kelly, an MA Screenwriting student at the National Film School at Dublin’s Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), it was announced today by Josh Berger, President & Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK, Ireland & Spain.

The scholarship will, over the course of the year, provide Kelly with postgraduate funding support and the experience of a short paid placement at Warner Bros. Ireland’s Dublin offices, as well as access to screenings and mentoring support from Warner Bros. executives in the country.

Josh Berger CBE, President & Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK, Ireland & Spain, said: “Awarding our first scholarship to a student in Ireland demonstrates our desire to support the next generation of talent in the countries in which we operate. Selected for his potential and commitment to joining the industry, Daniel will now have the funding to develop his skills and gain vital experience that we hope will equip him for his future career.”

Donald Taylor Black, Creative Director of the National Film School at IADT, said: “This scholarship recognises the fantastic film-making potential of students at the National Film School and emerging creative talent here in Ireland. It’s a brilliant opportunity for Daniel, and one that we are extremely grateful to Warner Bros. for providing.”

The Irish scholarship is an extension of Warner Bros. Creative Talent, a key part of Warner Bros. long-term investment in UK creative industry skills and training. Announced in 2013, Warner Bros. Creative Talent’s multi-layered investment encompasses scholarships at some of the UK’s most respected higher education institutions; apprenticeships with roles ranging from set-lighting to post-production; trainee positions on every Warner Bros.’ UK film production; year-long training course places for young people at inclusive theatre company, Chickenshed; work experience placements for schools local to Warner Bros.’ London HQ; and work placements on the West End musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with the most talented of the students receiving an additional three month placement.

Warner Bros. has a storied film-making history in Ireland, most notably the 1996 production of Michael Collins, which became the country’s top-grossing film on release and still remains the highest grossing Irish film of all time. The film’s Academy Award-winning director, Neil Jordan, is also behind other Warner Bros. hits including Interview with a Vampire and award-winning film The Butcher Boy.