Two professional Bermudian filmmakers are to lead a workshop for young people interested in entering the industry.

Budding filmmakers will have the chance to learn the tricks of the trade from Lara Smith and Karli Powell thanks to the Bermuda International Film Festival’s youth division.

Ms Smith has attended the Radio and Television Arts Programme at Ryerson University and she earned an MA in Media Arts with a focus on documentary production at Emerson College in Boston.

Ms Powell works as a freelance and is currently co-directing a documentary about the Berkeley Institute. She holds a BSc in Entertainment from Full Sail University and an MA in Film and Television from the University of Westminster.

The featured instructors will be joined by four counsellors and several volunteers to assist the participants as they delve deeper into their projects. Students will then have the opportunity for feedback from the professionals as they work on the finishing touches of their projects.

The BIFF Academy aims to give young people “a creative voice and engage them in the art of filmmaking”. The workshop is due to take place during the October midterm break for students aged between 11 and 14 years old who are interested in art and film.

There are 20 places are available on a scholarship basis thanks to the generosity of the Butterfield Hope Award.

The participants will be invited to design, film and edit a four-to-six-minute film in line with the theme “Bermuda Is Speaking”.

Working in groups, students will explore Bermuda’s people, natural environment, and physical culture in arts and architecture.

They will use GoPro cameras to help tell their stories and the films will eventually be shown on the big screen.

Ms Powell said: “Being able to collaborate with another professional Bermudian female on such an awesome project is an added bonus. Not so long ago, a woman’s roll in the industry of film was very narrowly defined. That is now slowly changing and we have to continue to support each other whenever we can.

“I’m hoping that with this workshop Bermuda will have a new generation of budding film and movie enthusiasts willing to take the art form forward from our unique island perspective. If I can encourage that even a little, I would be proud to do so. I think we’re going to have a great workshop.”

Applications are available on www.tinyurl.com/biff2015workshop and, as this is offered as a scholarship, must include a letter of interest from the student. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 2.