Journalist, writer and photographer since 1979, both print and online, I have a vast experience in the fields of photography, software, hardware, web, aviation, History, videogames, technology, having published material in almost all Portuguese newspapers and magazines between 1979 and 2009. 

I ...

Final Pixel Academy Launches Virtual Production Fellowship in Scotland

15 Dec 2023  |  ProVideo Coalition  |  English  |  Education and Training

The Final Pixel Academy, in collaboration with Screen Scotland, Nightsky Studios, and Blazing Griffin, is launching the Virtual Production Fellowship programme, a pioneering educational initiative aimed at developing skills in virtual production for individuals in Scotland. The programme, which is fully funded for participants, will offer a comprehensive curriculum covering the critical skills, techniques, and technologies necessary for careers in the rapidly growing virtual production sector. The launch event, scheduled for December 15, 2023, will include presentations, a live panel discussion, and a tour of a state-of-the-art virtual production stage at BBC Studioworks in Glasgow. The three-year fellowship is part of a global effort by Final Pixel Academy to advance virtual production education and career opportunities in Europe and the United States.

Tags:

British Film Institute (BFI) AMPAS/BFDG BBC Studioworks

James Appleby is a journalist and author. His articles on the wildlife of the United Kingdom have been published in Euronews and New Nature.

****

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Tax and Spending Plans Aim to Boost UK Business Investment

17 Mar 2024  |  www.teeslaw.com  |  English  |  Creative Industries

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced the UK government's tax and spending plans, emphasizing support for British businesses with 110 growth measures aimed to boost business investment by £20bn a year. Hunt highlighted the government's success in halving inflation, growing the economy, and reducing debt, as per the updated economic projections by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The OBR forecasts a modest economic expansion over the next few years, with inflation expected to hit the government's 2% target by 2025. The Chancellor's measures include making the 'full expensing' tax break for businesses permanent, extending business rate discounts, simplifying R&D tax reliefs, and providing strategic investment in manufacturing sectors. Personal taxation changes include an increase in the National Living Wage and uprating pensions with average earnings growth. The government also plans to extend various tax reliefs, support levelling up with new Investment Zones, and reinforce the Back to Work Plan. The article concludes with Hunt's statement that this is the biggest package of tax cuts since the 1980s, signaling a positive turn for the UK economy.

Tags:

British Film Institute Certification Unit British Film Commission Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Community Security Trust

Andrew Connelly is a British freelance print and radio journalist based in London but frequently on the road covering central and eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus. 

On the homefront, Andrew has recently reported on Britain's migration policy, London's Somali communities debating the ...

Arbitrator Bias: The English Commercial Court Offers Further Guidance on Disqualification of Arbitrators

08 Mar 2024  |  www.klgates.com  |  English  |  Bias

The English Commercial Court has provided further guidance on the disqualification of arbitrators due to bias, reaffirming the principles set out in the Halliburton v. Chubb case. In the recent case of H1 & Anor v. W & Ors, the court removed a sole arbitrator for apparent bias, emphasizing the importance of impartiality in arbitration. The decision highlighted that an arbitrator's statements and relationships with expert witnesses can lead to justifiable doubts about their impartiality. The case underscores the need for careful selection of arbitrators and awareness of factors that may influence their impartiality.

Tags:

British Film Institute English Commercial Court Supreme Court

Factual

Factuality Scale

Deaglán de Bréadún (pronounced: Deg-lawn de Bray-doon)  is a freelance journalist, broadcaster  and author based in Dublin, Ireland. He previously worked as Political Correspondent with The Irish Times; Political Editor of The Irish Sun; Local Radio Correspondent with the Irish parliament's ...

Obituary: Martin McLoone, academic and writer who did much to popularise the study of media and Irish film

03 Oct 2023  |  www.independent.ie  |  English  |  Irish Film

Martin McLoone, a pioneering academic and writer, significantly advanced the study of media and Irish film. He held key roles at the Irish Film Institute and Ulster University, where he established leading media studies programs. McLoone authored influential works on Irish cinema and contributed to various media organizations. His legacy includes inspiring generations of students and shaping media education in Ireland and the UK. McLoone passed away on October 3, leaving behind a profound impact on the field of media studies.

Tags:

Celtic Film Festival Foyle Film Festival British Film Institute Irish Film Institute Ulster University RTÉ Media Association of Ireland Cultural Traditions Group

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View

Freelance travel journalist, host of the Travel Goals Podcast and Loney Planet guidebook author. With over seven years of experience as a freelance travel journalist, I'm passionate about creating engaging and informative articles and audio content for various media outlets, including the Times, ...

Where is House of the Dragon filmed?

22 Aug 2022  |  Yahoo Entertainment  |  English  |  Tourism

House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, features various filming locations including Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios in England for interiors and several exterior scenes in Cornwall, Devon, Surrey, Spain, and Portugal. The move to England is seen as a significant boost to film tourism, with Visit Britain and the British Film Institute highlighting the economic benefits. Key locations include Cornwall's Kynance Cove and St Michael's Mount, Spain's Cáceres and Trujillo, and Portugal's Monsanto. The series is expected to further enhance tourism in these regions, following the trend set by Game of Thrones.

Tags:

British Film Institute Visit Britain Visit Cornwall

Informative

Factuality Scale

Photojournalist based in Lisbon, Portugal.

Graduated in Photojournalism from Cenjor - Professional Training Center for Journalists in 2017.

In the same year, he started working as a stringer for Global Media Group, publishing his work in the groups' national newspapers, namely: Diário de ...

Oscars 2024 with New Rules and Predictable Titles

21 Mar 2023  |  www.centralcomics.com  |  Portuguese  |  Awards

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has implemented new diversity and representation rules for Oscar eligibility, inspired by the British Film Institute and BAFTA standards. Films must now meet two of four broad representation categories to be considered for Best Picture. The article anticipates potential nominees for the 96th Oscars, highlighting films like 'Air', 'Killers of the Flower Moon', and 'Priscilla', and noting the involvement of high-profile actors and directors. It also mentions the potential for Portuguese productions to be considered for Oscars.

Tags:

British Film Institute Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences BAFTA

Informative

Factuality Scale

Tasnim Nazeer is an award-winning journalist based in the United Kingdom. Tasnim freelances for a number of mainstream media outlets including Al Jazeera English, Huffington Post, The Guardian, BBC, CNN and many more. She was the first hijab wearing TV reporter in Scotland and does freelance TV ...

This British Muslim filmmaker is fighting hate through film

25 Mar 2022  |  The New Arab  |  English  |  Community Harmony

Rizwan Wadan, a British-born Muslim filmmaker, has been screening his impactful film across the UK to combat Islamophobia and promote community harmony. Supported by industry veterans like Peter Biziou, his film separates Islamic teachings from terrorism and educates non-Muslims about Islam. The campaign has received positive reactions, even changing perspectives of individuals from far-right groups. Wadan emphasizes the need for more minority representation in media and has partnered with a British university for further research. Despite personal sacrifices, he remains committed to his mission.

Tags:

British Film Institute Britain First EDL

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View

I am a NCTJ trained journalist based in Berkshire United Kingdom with over 25 years of experience as a national newspaper and broadcast journalist. I have worked for most of the national newspapers and mainstream TV channels covering politics, court, human interest and lifestyle stories. I have ...

The Smiley Company’s Nicolas Loufrani on 50 Years of Spreading Happiness

03 Aug 2022  |  www.luxuriousmagazine.com  |  English  |  Branding

The Smiley Company celebrates its 50th anniversary with a global campaign emphasizing its original message of 'Take The Time to Smile.' Nicolas Loufrani, the creative force behind the brand, discusses its evolution from a feel-good news campaign started by his father, Franklin Loufrani, to a globally recognized brand. The company has collaborated with numerous high-profile fashion brands and has expanded its influence through new-age tech communications and the creation of graphic emoticons. The Smiley Movement, a non-profit organization, aims to inspire positive societal change. The anniversary celebrations include pop-up shops, brand collaborations, and charity efforts, including a partnership with The Bicester Collection and events featuring David Guetta.

Tags:

British Film Institute Smiley Movement France-Soir The Bicester Collection

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Gregory Wakeman is a journalist based in Los Angeles, United States of America.

The film is more optimistic than people consider: Why the poignant Kes is Britain's greatest coming-of-age story

14 Nov 2023  |  BBC News فارسی  |  English  |  Social Realism

Kes, directed by Ken Loach and based on Barry Hines's novel, is celebrated as a timeless British coming-of-age film. Released in 1969, it tells the story of Billy Casper, a South Yorkshire teenager who finds solace in training a kestrel. Despite initial skepticism from film executives due to its regional accents, Kes gained critical acclaim and became a classic. The film's themes of social realism, educational critique, and working-class struggles resonate universally, highlighting the failures of the British education system and the untapped potential of children like Billy. Kes's influence extends to modern cinema and remains relevant in discussions about social mobility and inequality in Britain.

Tags:

British Film Institute BBC The Guardian The Times

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View