Film schools' global network

The online film school will help young directors get their names in lights

Film schools in three continents are to join together to provide an online training scheme for the next generation of movie makers.

The Global Film School, launched in the United Kingdom by the Culture Secretary, Chris Smith on Tuesday, will allow students around the world to follow courses provided by a consortium of three prestigious film schools.

The joint venture is being set up by the National Film and Television School in the United Kingdom, the School of Theatre Film and Television at the University of California at Los Angeles in the United States and the Australian Film Television and Radio School.

Chris Smith wants the film school to nurture talent around the world

The online film school, which will open later this year, will teach directing, producing, screenwriting, editing, design and cinematography - with all lessons provided through the internet.

The director of the National Film and Television School, Stephen Bayly, says that the courses will use the digital technology which is itself changing film-making.

"The most exciting aspect of this venture is that it will empower young people everywhere to use the new, cheap digital tools to tell their own stories from their own personal and cultural perspectives."

The joint venture would place the film schools at "the front line of the digital revolution", said Mr Bayly.

Chris Smith said that the international exchanges which the Global Film School would make possible would "foster creativity" and provide opportunities for "aspiring talent" around the world.