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Search launched for the Northwest’s aspiring film making talent
NORTH West Vision is hunting high and low for the Northwest’s freshest new filmmaking talent with the launch of its ‘Digital Shorts 2005’ scheme. North West Vision’s funding executives are inviting innovative filmmakers to apply for the scheme that will provide the top applicants with funding and ongoing support to make 12 short digital films. Four filmmakers will receive the maximum amount of funding (£9000 per film) as part of the Maxi Digital Shorts scheme, and a further 8 people will receive £3000 as part of the Mini Digital Shorts scheme.
The one thing that England’s Northwest is not short on is talent and the funding team at North West Vision have a great eye for the rising stars of filmmaking. This is proved by the solid track record of past Digital Short schemes. In 2004 distribution company Short Circuit took more of North West Vision’s digital short films up than any other screen agency in England.
Films such as ‘Tis, Spring Heeled Jack, Connecting and Flight will be promoted and distributed by Short Circuit Films and taken on a touring circuit of national and international festivals. Daylight Hole one of the shorts made last year has also just been selected for screening at this summer’s Edinburgh Film Festival.
The success of the digital shorts scheme comes from the fact that a whole package of support is offered on top of funding. It allows talented groups and individuals to learn about how to market and distribute their film and also enables them to make contacts and progress up the filmmaking ladder.
North West Vision’s Chief Executive, Alice Morrison commented:- “The Digital Shorts scheme is not just about making the film. We offer training, advice and support to develop filmmakers. The films are premiered regionally then produced on DVD and filmmakers receive further training about distribution and exhibition. Once the film is made we also offer bursaries to promote the films at the Cannes Film Festival. The whole package is an excellent experience for an aspiring filmmaker.”
Commenting on his experience of the Digital Shorts 2004 scheme, executive producer John Maxwell said:- “Via 2 consecutive years producing the North West vision digital shorts, I was given the opportunity to assemble a network of new talent to work on ten films. As a result of this, every project I am now developing includes talent I have worked with during the process of these schemes. The only way to form lasting working relationships like this is to hit the ground running and make a film. This is a major feature of the digital shorts, which I would like to see continued and developed for years to come.”
Once again the scheme’s past record speaks for itself. 3 of the digital short directors from year two have gone on to direct their first low budget feature film.
The scheme will run throughout June and July and the deadline for submissions will be Friday 29 July 2005. Short-listed candidates will then have the opportunity pitch their project to a panel. There will be briefing sessions at Shoreline Films in Cumbria on 6 July. If you would like to attend the event, please call Kerry or Sarah at Shoreline Films on 01229 839983 or e-mail your name, address and phone number to
shorelinefilms@aol.com.
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Liverpool children put on ship-shape display
PIRATES, sailors and sea creatures clambered on board a primary school yesterday. A special sea-faring event at Garston Church of England primary school was being held to celebrate the 2005 Capital of Culture themed year, Sea Liverpool. Every youngster in the school has spent the last few weeks learning about the city's maritime history, practicing sea-shanties and creating a 15 foot aqua-themed tapestry.
Rick Widdowson, head teacher of Garston C of E, said:- "The children have been working hard, learning dances, songs and putting all their creativity into the tapestry which looks amazing. They have really enjoyed and embraced the city's maritime legacy, and they all feel as though they have taken part in the Sea Liverpool theme."
Yesterday, the schoolchildren showed off their new wave of skills to friends and family, which included poetry readings and a choreographed battle between the sailors and the pirates.
Councillor Paul Clein, the city council's executive member for education, said:- "The city has pledged to involve every child in the city in maritime activities during the year of Sea Liverpool. It's important that children learn about Liverpool's rich sea-port legacy and how it has shaped the city that they live in. Sea Liverpool offers many opportunities to inspire a wave of creativity in children and it's great that pupils and teachers at Garston C of E are really embracing this cultural year. It's clear that they are having fun, and at the same time, are learning about one of the world's greatest maritime cities."
HUB FESTIVAL AT THE DOUBLE
ONE of the UK's biggest urban culture festivals has just got bigger. The Liverpool HUB festival, which celebrates the best of skateboarding, BMX and hip-hop will be double the fun this year, as organisers announced its skate park will be twice the size of 2004.
Building on the success of last year's event, which attracted thousands of young people, the Liverpool Culture Company is also installing a new hip hop music venue as the city's historic Pier Head is transformed for the weekend of July 16 and 17. And to complete an upgrade of the free festival of talent and nerve there also be a new competition.
The Liverpool HUB Open, with £3,000 of cash prizes to win for Highest Air and Best
Tricks, is it!
The biggest names in skateboarding and BMX, including Liverpool's own former world champion Neil Danns, will be performing some of their most innovative, mind-boggling tricks. Music will be supplied by some of the hottest, new hip hop acts from the US and UK performing in the new tent - while the main stage is dedicated to home grown bands. And 54 of the finest graffiti artists from all over the world will create two 250m boards of art work, which have to be seen to be believed!
Councillor Warren Bradley, executive member for Culture said:- ''HUB is fast gaining a big reputation as a festival of pure street celebration - and this year will be double the fun. I'm delighted to see the city developing this festival for people of all ages to take part in and providing a platform to attract the best of urban culture to Liverpool. For eye popping entertainment with a thumping soundtrack there's not many better places to be this summer than at the Pier Head for HUB.''
Liverpool's urban Hub festival is on July 16 & 17 July 2005.
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