Editor

The 11th Showcomotion Young People’s Film Festival unveils a packed programme of films, fun and activities from 25 June to 9 July at the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield.

ICE AGE 3: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS FAMILY GALA
Festival organisers have announced that the family gala at this year’s Showcomotion Young People’s Film Festival is a preview screening of the summer blockbuster Ice Age 3: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs. This much anticipated animation screens at the festival on Sunday 28 June and follows the adventures of kids’ favourites Scrat, the mammoths Manny and Ellie and Diego the sabre-toothed tiger.
PETER SALMON TO GIVE KEYNOTE AT
SHOWCOMOTION CHILDREN’S MEDIA CONFERENCE
Peter Salmon is to give the Opening Keynote at the Showcomotion Children’s Media Conference on the evening of Wednesday 1 July. The Showcomotion Conference which runs from 1-3 July is the premier meeting place for delegates in the children's media and entertainment industries. Salmon was recently appointed as the first Director, BBC North. He will take up his new position in mid-2009 and will be based in Salford Quays in Greater Manchester where he will be directly responsible for BBC Children’s. At Showcomotion, he will be talking about his views on the future of children’s media and BBC Children’s move to Salford under his leadership.

SPECIAL GUESTS
Festival Director Kathy Loizou said: ‘Young film fans have a special treat in store this year as we have organised a great programme of talks with special guests. The animators behind Horrid Henry will be coming to talk about how they bring Henry, Perfect Peter, Moody Margaret and all the other characters to life. Dave Unwin is the Animation Director and Mike Watts the Producer of the Horrid Henry series for CITV and they will talk come to talk about how they create the series. It’s a wonderful opportunity for children to hear about the behind-the-scenes world of TV animation and it’s especially nice to welcome Sheffield-born Dave Unwin back to his home town.’

Richard Goleszowski is the award winning director of Shaun The Sheep and Creature Comforts. For those who have ever wondered how Aardman make Shaun so loveable and funny, Richard will be coming to the festival to tell Shaun fans the tricks of his trade. This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the most renowned animators working in the UK today.

Hathersage-based Peter Tabern returns to Showcomotion to talk about his work as screenwriter and co-creator of Demons, the recent hit Saturday evening on ITV. Peter is the BAFTA and International Emmy Award winning screenwriter and producer of other Showcomotion favourites (Johnny And The Bomb, Feather Boy, Stig Of The Dump) and he will be talking after the screening about the making of the series.

FESTIVAL FILM FUN
Highlights of the film programme include:
• Special preview of The Crimson Wing: Mystery Of The Flamingos. This stunning new wildlife documentary looks at the life of the crimson-winged flamingos at Lake Natron in northern Tanzania. Narrated by Mariella Frostrup, it’s Walt Disney’s first UK release on the Disney Nature label.
• Premiere of animated feature for the very young, Moonbeam Bear And His Friends.
• Premieres of time travel adventure Stella And The Star Of The Orient from Germany; medieval saga from The Netherlands, The Letter For The King; kids’ comedy caper Little Robbers from Latvia.
• Re-release of the classic Bambi on a new digital-print.
• First opportunity to see the Sky-produced drama Skellig on the big screen.

Younger film fans can join in the family fun weekends (27 June & 4 July) with face painting, arts and crafts and model making and enjoy a rare chance to see Thomas & Friends, Bob The Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Pingu and Shaun The Sheep on the big screen.

UNICEF UK AWARDS
Nominations have been announced for the prestigious UNICEF UK AWARDS, the only human rights film awards specifically for films for young people. 20 short films on the theme of young people’s rights have been nominated for two Jury Awards and one Audience Award. The Jury Award winners will be selected by local young people from Firth Park Community Arts College, NSPCC Sheffield Young People’s Centre, Tapton School and Sheffield Young Writers’ Workshop.

THE STEEL CITY GLOBE AWARDS – SHEFFIELD’S OWN MINI OSCARS
Showcomotion looks forward to hosting the Steel City Globe Awards, Sheffield’s own mini-Oscars for primary age film makers. The winning films will be announced at a glittering black-tie gala awards ceremony on Thursday 9 July at the Showroom Cinema in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Sheffield.

YOUNG TALENT GETS THE GREEN LIGHT AT FESTIVAL
109 films made by young people will be shown at the festival. Primary and secondary schools, colleges and youth groups have been working all year on their films and their hard work culminates in celebratory screenings during the 15 days of the festival. It’s a rare opportunity and a proud moment for kids, and their friends and families, to see their own work on the big screen.