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Young People’s Film Review Competition

The Bradford International Film Festival, 13-28 March, are running a competition to find the best film reviews written by young people. Budding critics just need to review a film that is showing at the festival and email their thoughts to talk@nationalmediamuseum.org.uk with BIFF Film Review in the subject line, by Friday 3rd April. Entries will be judged in two age categories: under 15 (250 words max), and 15 to 19 (500 words max). Winners will receive 2 cinema tickets for Cubby Broccoli or Pictureville cinema every month from May 2009 to April 2010.

One World Youth Jury looking for judges

The One World Media Awards celebrates the best media coverage of the developing world. The event is televised and hosted by Jon Snow of Channel 4 News and four young people are needed to judge one of the awards – the Children’s Rights Award, sponsored by Unicef. Visit Go to www.oneworldmediaawards.org and click on the link for the One World Youth Jury to find out more. The closing date for entries is Monday 9 March 2009.

£4.5m for local community groups to tackle youth violence

Third sector groups in England and Wales are urged to bid for The Home Office Community Fund which aims to help the community tackle youth violence through activities for young people in 13 Tackling Knives Action priority areas.

Organisations can apply for grant funding of up to £10,000 per annum for three years. The scheme is looking to support organisations that offer funding to provide mentoring, outreach work and educational activities for young people involved, or at risk of becoming involved in crime.

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First Light Movies judges from ‘The Secret of Moonacre’

‘The Secret of Moonacre’ is a magical film based on the book ‘The Little White Horse’ by Elizabeth Goudge. Out today the film stars Dakota Blue Richards and Juliet Stevenson, both of whom have judged the nominated entries for the upcoming Activison First Light Movies Awards. Find out more about the Awards and watch the nominated films here.

Top tips for young filmmakers

10 tips for young filmmakers from Irish filmmaker and critic Donal Foreman, check them out!

BBC Blast and BFI Future Film Festival

Taking place from 13th – 15th February the Future Film Festival will be made up of screenings, workshops, debates and an awards ceremony for 13-25 year olds.  And it’s all FREE!

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First Light Movies film wins Award

‘Running Free ‘ made by pupils from St Albans School and Flycather Films in Wales has won an award for the Best film in the age category 14-25 at the Zoom Young People’s Film Awards 2009, well done guys!

‘Running Free’ is a fast paced documentary that follows a group of lads from Pontypool as they travel to London’s Southbank to catapult themselves over walls, railings and the Nelson Column lions!

There’s lots on at the Glasgow Youth Film Festival

Check out the screenings and creative workshops for young people taking place 8-21 February 2009 – many are free!

Headspace are looking for young people’s programme ideas

Channel 4 and Childline are giving young people the chance to show the world what’s in their heads in the form of  online TV programes. From the ideas submitted 10 young people will be invited to Ch4 HQ where they will meet writers and producers and begin to turn their ideas into programmes.

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FLM young filmmakers at Camera Zizanio festival in Greece

Two films made by young people in the North East have been shortlisted for screening at Camera Zizanio film festival in Greece. Eight-year-old Niamh Watkinson and ten-year-old Alex Atkinson were part of the crew that made ‘Double Trouble’ and they are travelling to Greece to document the festival. You can see their vlogs on the Jack Drum Arts blog.

Reel Bites Workshops from Northern Film and Media

Northern Film & Media are running pleased a series of workshops and networking events aimed at the film and new media industry in the North East. Reel Bites is an opportunity to hear from key industry speakers and develop new skills and ideas. Sessions include how to use moblogging to promote your films, using social networking sites to exhibit your movies, what Current TV look for in short docs, and the future of cinema. Find out more at: http://www.northernmedia.org/?mod=news&pageid=38&id=406

Mass Animation on Facebook

Mass Animation is new facebook application has been launched to allow budding animators to contribute CG animated scenes to five-minute shorts, some of which could one day make the leap into feature films. Currently you can make your contribution to ‘Live Music’ a storyline created by Yair Landau former Digital Chief at Sony Pictures.

If you liked this post why not watch ‘The Princess and the Pendant’ made by Hartside Primary School, with support from Jack Drum Arts.

You can watch more First Light Movies films here