OUR STORY
Getting into the film industry is HARD AF.
I know. That’s why I created CINETOPIA CONNECT.
2018: NYC > EDINBURGH
Imagine moving halfway across the world and trying to break into the film industry in a new city, a new country.
You’ve no local network. You don’t know where look for information or support. You’ve no idea where all the film people hang out.
Despite many years in the industry back home, nobody here knew me. Everything felt unfamiliar, intimidating, and closed off.
Hi! I’m Amanda, co-founder of CINETOPIA CONNECT, and this was my experience in 2018, when I packed my bags in New York after 14 years and came to Scotland.
Despite my lengthy career as a creative producer, videographer, and documentary filmmaker with some of the leading cultural institutions in the USA (Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, Carnegie Hall, etc.) - coming to Scotland to study for my MSc. in Film, Exhibition, and Curation meant starting from scratch.
Frustrated with the lack of networking opportunities around me, or spaces to meet others in the industry, I set up my own Networking Nights and film events under the CINETOPIA banner to help myself and others working in film, or just keen film fans, to connect and enjoy cinema culture together.
As my team got bigger, and the events grew, I met more and more people in the film community desperate for better ways to connect, collaborate, and find opportunities in film.
It didn’t take me long to realize I wasn’t the only one feeling stuck.
FAST FORWARD TO 2022
Hi, Emma here - CINETOPIA CONNECT’s Project Coordinator and Community Manager!
A lifelong film nerd, I quit the corporate rat race after over a decade and decided to pivot my successful marketing career from hospitality and tourism into the film industry.
At 40 years old it wasn’t an easy decision. And I instantly hit a brick wall.
No “ins.” No network. No idea how to get my foot in the door. My skills and experience didn’t matter. I didn’t know “the right people.”
One day I showed up to a Cinetopia Networking Night, met Amanda, and instantly felt at home.
The community was friendly, open, and encouraging. It wasn’t just about meeting people—it was about sharing knowledge, finding support, and building confidence. I started joining all the screenings and events, and finally landed my first job with a film festival.
When Amanda shared her vision for CONNECT, I knew I wanted to be part of it.
CINETOPIA CONNECT goes live in 2025! Want to be one of the first to try it? Sign-up for details!
THE IDEA FOR CINETOPIA CONNECT…
Everyone I spoke to shared the same complaints:
Gatekeeping, cliques, a siloed industry
Out-of-date, clunky databases and jobs boards.
Difficulty finding useful information and events.
Lack of opportunity outside the big cities.
The film community felt fractured and stagnant, leaving my talented, creative friends and colleagues frustrated and unable to move forward.
What if there was one simple, dedicated space for the film community?
A place where all events, opportunities, and resources came together in one easy-to-use,
engaging platform?
Where people could connect and learn from each other across sectors, cities, and activities…
Everything the film community needs to thrive, all in one place?
BIG MOVES IN 2024
Thanks to funding from Creative Informatics Amanda developed an initial prototype of the CONNECT platform to show investors and conduct user-testing and feedback gathering.
In 2024, Amanda secured further funding from Innovate UK to develop an MVP of CINETOPIA CONNECT to soft launch on the market, with Emma joining as Project Coordinator and Community Manager.
We’re building something to break down the barriers we, and many others have faced and create a future where anyone—whether you’re a student just starting out, a career-changer, seasoned pro, or simply a film enthusiast—can fulfil your ambitions in the film world!
Breaking into the film industry is HARD AF, but it doesn’t have to be.
CINETOPIA CONNECT is your personal film support network.
WHAT IS CINETOPIA
CONNECT?
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.
-
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.
-
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.
-
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.