Friday, September 17, 2010

Co-operative Film Festival October 2010

THE CO-OPERATIVE WELCOMES AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR TO YORKSHIRE FILM FESTIVAL

The Co-operative is inviting film fans and budding movie makers to attend a prestigious film festival in Yorkshire, where they can meet one of the UK’s top up-and-coming directors, David Whitney.

The annual Co-operative Film Festival returns to the National Media Museum in Bradford, on Thursday 7 and Friday 8, October, 2010.

Youngsters are being urged to book early for the many different workshops, including a question and answer session with the Bolton-based filmmaker, who won “Best Film” for Kandahar Break at the Philadelphia Film Festival.

During the two-day event festival-goers will get the chance to attend free screenings which will showcase more than 100 films on the big screen made by young people aged under 19, including drama, documentary, animation and comedy,

Aspiring Danny Boyles and Steven Spielbergs can also take part in more than 20 workshops hosted by film and TV experts. Highlights include “Animation Unearthed” where youngsters can learn all about animation from David Bunting, who trained with Aardman Animations and worked on Shaun the Sheep, Disney’s The Tigger Movie andThunderbirds.

Other workshops include “Special Effects Make-up” and “Film Making for Beginners”, as well as “Editing Masterclass” with industry professional Chris Hazel, and “Create a Movie Soundtrack”.

This year’s festival attracted more than 247 productions from young film-makers, schools, colleges, youth and art groups from across the UK, and also Europe.

Festival organiser Richard Mason said: “We are delighted to welcome David Whitney to officially launch this year’s Festival and we are sure there will be many young film-makers who will be keen on asking him questions. Any young people who are interested in making movies or want to find out more about the television and film business should come along and take part in some of the fantastic workshops.

“Over the years The Co-operative Film Festival has helped showcase the talents of thousands of youngsters and inspired many to go on and work in the film industry, including Festival Patron Edgar Wright, the award-winning director of smash hits Shaun of the DeadHot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs The World, and I am sure some of the young film-makers at this year’s festival have the potential to become big screen directors of tomorrow.”

The Co-operative Film Festival, formerly known as the Co-operative Young Film Makers Festival, was launched in 1966 and is organised by The Co-operative Group, the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operative, in partnership with the National Media Museum.

Screenings are free, although advanced booking is essential, and some workshops have a small ticket price. To book tickets contact the National Media Museum on 0844 856 3799.

For further information about the Festival go to: www.co-operative.coop/filmfestival