Watershed’s development programme for 18-25 year olds, the Future Producers, kicked off last week. The group will be working with us here until December, learning about the skills needed to programme an arts venue like Watershed.

Sixteen talented young people from Bristol and the South West were shortlisted from over 70 applications to take part in this unique programme. The group will be working with us to produce Fresh Flix, our film and cross-artform strand for kids and young people, which takes place in the Autumn. As producers of the strand they will develop, manage, oversee and realise a series of events that will develop the creative talent of other young people. Last week the team was introduced to programming at Watershed - meeting Mark Cosgrove (Head of Programme at Watershed) and Tommy Curtis (Cyclescreen curator) who encouraged them to think creatively about film exhibition.

Over the summer, the Future Producers team will be hearing from some of Bristol’s most influential movers and shakers about how they deliver their big ideas, including Ali Rowe (Ashton Court/Stokes Croft Festival) and Mike Bennet (See No Evil). The team will then start to plan how to take ideas from the drawing board to delivery, ready to help tackle the challenge of programming and delivering Fresh Flix. Participants will be developing the skills associated with being a producer for a cultural venue such as such as openness, collaboration, creativity, empathy and confidence.

Hannah Higginson, Watershed’s Engagement Projects Producer, who is co-ordinating the scheme, said:

'It’s wonderful to meet the diverse team! Watershed's Future Producers is an outstanding development opportunity - it's all about pushing boundaries, developing new ideas, and making them happen. I’m delighted to see that the young people come from a mix of disciplines: music and theatre as well as film - their individual skills will really add to the creative mix that is Fresh Flix.'

At the first session Hannah asked the team about their own hopes for this scheme - and here are some of their responses:

'Through the Future Producers I hope to make new connections and to explore the cross-over between music and film and mixed media.'

'I hope to liaise with people from different cultural disciplines and understand the dynamics of organising and promoting at a cultural venue.'

'I am looking forward to developing my confidence, making friends, having fun and creating something special for Fresh Flix 2012.'

Let’s hope these inspiring aspirations are met through this great project!

We can’t wait to see what they come up with: check back regularly to see what progress they make over the summer. You can read more about their thoughts at Hannah’s blog.

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