Anthony Minghella spoke about his successful career

The new Bournemouth Screen Academy will provide master classes and other specialist initiatives to develop the south's future screen talent.

The academy is a joint project between Bournemouth's Arts Institute and the university's media school.

Funded by the audio visual body Skillset, the centre received Mr Minghella's seal of approval on Friday.

'Committed and dedicated'

David Hanson, director of the Bournemouth Screen Academy, told BBC News: "He [Mr Minghella] is very supportive of the academy.

"The fact that he came down is testament to how committed and dedicated he is."

The academy has received around �1m in funding.

Mr Minghella - best known for his Oscar-winning films "The English Patient" and "Cold Mountain" - is the recipient of an honorary doctorate from Bournemouth University in 2001.

He lives on the Isle of Wight.