Unicef UK Film Awards

The winners have been announced of the UNICEF UK FILM AWARDS. The Awards is an international competition for short films which look at the rights of children and young people.

Festival Director Kathy Loizou said: ‘The UNICEF UK FILM AWARDS is the only film competition in the UK which focuses solely on films about kids’ rights. 20 short films were screened during the Showcomotion Young People’s Film Festival in Sheffield and the Jury, made up entirely of young people, spent the afternoon watching, deliberating and voting on which they decided to be the best.’

The winners of the three categories are:

UNICEF UK YOUNG FILM MAKER AWARD
The UNICEF UK Young Film Maker Award is for young film makers up to and including 18 years old. The winner is This Is It by Harry Lindley, age 17.


UNICEF UK SHORT FILM AWARD
The UNICEF UK Short Film Award is for professional film makers. The joint winners in this section are See Something, Say Something made by Ben Wright and Will Milton for Bold Creative and The Mouse by Pil Maria Gunnasson.

UNICEF UK AUDIENCE AWARD
The UNICEF UK Audience Award is for the best film from both categories voted by the audience. The winner is Bang Out Of Order by Southampton Young Carers. Special Mentions go to Our Voice by Ace Council (Sheffield’s Care Experienced Youth Council) and Tickled Pink by John Paul Lancaster who studied at Sheffield Hallam University.

Martin Orton, Agency MD, Bold Creative said: ‘Working to find innovative ways to empower young people, we're delighted to receive this recognition. See Something Say Something was designed by young people to support those experiencing differing types of bullying in school. The documentary animation format allowed those participating in the film the freedom to freely express their feelings without fear of recrimination, ultimately helping numerous other young people in the same situation. Getting an award like this directly helps us to continue this work in future’.

Jessica Wright of UNICEF UK, said: ‘UNICEF UK is delighted to be working with Showcomotion again this year to celebrate films on the theme of young people’s rights. UNICEF Tagd gives young people a platform to speak out and take action on issues concerning children’s rights and film is a fantastic and creative way to get the message across. Through this competition we hope to make young people’s voices heard on matters that affect them and other young people worldwide.’

THE STEEL CITY GLOBE AWARDS 2009
The annual Steel City Globe Awards were held during Showcomotion at the Showroom Cinema on Thursday 9 July. Sheffield youngsters have been making their 2 minute films and their efforts were celebrated and rewarded at the ‘Oscars’ style ceremony. The awards were presented by the Lord Mayor and the winners are Key Stage 1 Film - The Spider Eats Up by Waterthorpe Nursery Infant School; Key Stage 2 Animation - 2 Minute Macbeth by Bradfield Dungworth Primary School; Special School - Talbot Invasion by Talbot School; Key Stage 2 Fiction - Teddy Time by Abbey Lane Primary School; Key Stage 2 Non-Fiction - How To Make A Film by Greenlands Junior School; Key Stage 3 - Evolution by Birley Community College.

UPTURN IN DELEGATE NUMBERS
Organisers of the Showcomotion Children’s Media Conference reported increased numbers for their sixth conference which ran from 1-3 July. In a bid to shake off TV industry doom and gloom, delegates flocked to the Sheffield Showroom. 463 delegates attended, an increase of 20% on 2008, and Peter Salmon, Director BBC North was the keynote speaker. In addition, there were 6629 attendances for the Showcomotion Young People’s Film Festival which ran from 25 June – 9 July. The festival screened a total of 188 films from around the world including 109 films made by young people. The fest screened 16 features and 172 shorts from 22 countries.

-ENDS-
For further information contact Kathy Loizou, Showcomotion Director kathy@showroom.org.uk
+ 44 (0) 114 276 3534

EDITOR’S NOTES

1 The 11th Showcomotion Young People’s Film Festival ran from 25 June to 9 July at the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield. For full details visit the website at www.showcomotion.org.uk.

2 Showcomotion works with UNICEF UK to present awards for short films on the theme of young people's rights. This is the fourth time the Awards have been organised. Film makers from around the world have sent in films for selection for two Jury prizes. The UNICEF UK YOUNG FILM MAKER AWARD is the competition for young film makers aged up to and including 18 years-old. The UNICEF UK SHORT FILM AWARD is the competition for film makers aged 19 years+. There is also an AUDIENCE AWARD for best overall film from both categories. The Jury comprised local young people from Firth Park Community Arts College, NSPCC Sheffield Young People’s Centre, Tapton School, Cube Magazine and Website and the Showcomotion Youth Team.

UNICEF Tagd is a new website aimed at 11-18-year-olds who are passionate about global issues such as HIV, climate change and children’s rights. It provides a platform for them to have their voice heard and take action on issues that matter to them. Young people can explore the themes, create a Tag and earn credits while helping to make a positive change for children around the world. For more information visit www.tagd.org.uk.

3 Bold Creative is a social and youth innovation agency, who employ a unique user-centred approach to develop innovative communication solutions that engage hard to reach groups and empower young people on the issues that matter to them. From consultation and development to design and delivery, Bold offer wholly integrated, social-marketing campaigns across all media. A track record in participatory media, production, designs and interactive enables Bold to achieve very specific social and educational aims with the main focus of the business working with young people and adolescents to address the common issues which affect them daily. What drives Bold is the ability to create innovative work that tests new, creative ways to engage, inspire, educate and unlock the true potential of people. Using innovative animation and design Bold have successfully communicated an array of hard-to-deliver messages direct to local communities. Pushing through several ground-breaking projects to raise the profile of young people’s voices in mainstream media, Bold Creative have won several UK and international awards; including a Royal Television Society award and a BAFTA for work with BBC Newsround as part of an initiative for National Child Poverty month. www.boldcreative.co.uk

4 The Steel City Globe Awards is an initiative organised by Sheffield Children & Young People’s Service ICT & Literary Advisors, Sheffield City Learning Centres and Showcomotion to promote Literacy and ICT work in schools.

5 The sixth Showcomotion Children’s Media Conference ran from 1-3 July at the Showroom Cinema in Sheffield. It’s the UK’s premier meeting place for delegates in the children's media and entertainment industries.

6 Showcomotion's funders are Screen Yorkshire, the Prince's Foundation For Children & The Arts and The MEDIA Programme of the European Union.
NAT WEB