UK training body Skillset and production companySamuelson Productions have launched a new producer training programme.

Skillset and Samuelson will select eight up-and-coming producers and place themin a rotation at some major film companies for nine months.

The producers in the programmewill also attend a regular series of workshops, master-classes, and sessionswith industry experts.

The producers won't pay for the course andwill be awarded a grant of $22,100 (£12,750) to attend for the nine months.

Skillset is financing the scheme with Allied Irish Bank as the primary sponsorand law firm Olswang as the secondary sponsor.

Companies already signed up to participateinclude distributors Focus, UIP and Buena Vista, financiers Allied Irish Bank, lawfirm Olswang, publicity firm DDA, insurers TotallyEntertainment, exhibitors Mainline and Everyman Media, and accountants AGN Shipleys, EMI Music Publishing.Others will be added.

Speakers who have agreed to participate are StJohn Donald (PFD), Lyndsey Posner (ICM), producersAdam Bohling and David Reid, screenwriter AnthonyHorowitz, David Garrett (Summit Entertainment), Steve Jenkins (BBCAcquisitions), Michael Kuhn (Qwerty Films), and Luke Randolph (IFG).

A Bigger Futureis a five year strategy covering all jobs in film from development through toexhibition and aims to ensure the UKfilm industry has the world beating skills needed to compete in an increasinglytough global market. All initiatives under A Bigger Future are funded bythe Skillset Film Skills Fund made up of nationallottery money and industry investment.

The course was devised in conjunction withand will be run on behalf of Skillset by SamuelsonProductions. Established in 1990 by Marc Samuelson the company has made overfifteen feature films including the award nominated 'Wilde', 'Arlington Road'and 'Tom & Viv'. Recent films executive producedinclude 'Keeping Mum', 'The Libertine', 'Chromophobia',and films produced by Samuelsons include 'Things ToDo Before You're 30' (to be released June 2006 by Momentum Pictures) and themuch anticipated 'Stormbreaker' due for release inthe UK by Entertainment Film Producers in July 2006.

The course will be overseen by Marc Samuelsonand run by Project Manager, Suzie Shearer.

For further details please contact SuzieShearer, Samuelson Productions on 020 7439 4900