The Factory | Welsh Hills Works | Jenkin Street | CF39 9PP Porth
www.zoomcymru.com
Tel 07717532723 email
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday 1st Novemberst October 2012
Zoom Cymru present Wales’ International Young People’s Film Festival: Dates announced and submissions open!
Wales’ largest film festival for young people will take place from Monday 11th – Friday 15th March 2013
Now in its seventh year, the Zoom Film Festival will build on the success of previous years, which has reached over 10,000 young people across Wales.
Alongside a diverse selection of films from around the world, Zoom runs an exciting mix of innovative workshops and masterclasses. Everyday of the festival expert tutors and award-winning filmmakers will deliver engaging and inspiring workshops in acting for screen, animation, low budget film making, make a film in a day, music video production and much more!
The Festival will kick off with a red carpet opening night Gala on Monday 11th March to officially declare the festival open with an advanced screening of a new release feature film for all the family (TBC)
The announcement of the 2013 Festival dates also coincides with the call out for entries into the 2013 Zoom Young Film Maker Awards (ZYFA), which celebrates films made by young people from across Wales aged between 8 and 25. Films are submitted, shortlisted and selected by the Zoom youth film council and a panel consisting of Industry Filmmakers and organisations. In selecting the winners the panel looks for originality, authenticity and creativity.
“The Festival is also now open for it’s young filmmaker entries. So if you have a film, or want to make one before the closing date on Friday 25th January – visit our website and find out how to do it!” said Gemma Woolley, Director
“Last year we showcased an incredible diversity of short film entries from all over Wales – comedies, music videos, dramas and documentaries and some amazing animations” said Gemma.
Zoom’s unique expertise in the delivery of screenings, workshops and activities during the festival strives to enhance film literacy, promote collaborations and broaden horizons, raise aspirations, boost confidence and realise the learning potential of many children and young people.
The festival selects a diverse and innovative range of films produced for young people that would not otherwise be screened in the UK and recognises and celebrates cultural diversity and change. The festival also looks to programme films made and set in Wales.
The Festival Chair is John Geraint, one of Wales’ leading independent television producers. He says: ‘This year we are excited to be developing the Festival’s International aspect. There’s a particular emphasis on small nations and minority cultures in Europe, where there are similar challenges to those faced by young people in Wales. Sharing across languages and cultures is an important element in empowering young people to understand their own lives. All over Wales, there are young people with stories to tell and the skills to put them on screen. Zoom is all about celebrating that and opening it out to the big wide world. This will also be complimented with a new Zoom Young Film Maker Award for the best film made Internationally by Young People”
Festival events are happening in Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr Tydfil, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Caerphilly, Caernarfon and Pembrokeshire
Full details of the film festival programme and venues will be announced in the coming weeks
Information on workshops, screenings and how to book will be available through the website www.zoomcymru.com and Zoom HQ at The Factory, Porth on 01443 888337
This year’s Festival is supported by the Film Agency for Wales, who continue to support the Festival. Zoom also acknowledges the support of a recent successful bid to the Big Lottery that will support the development and growth of Zoom over the next three years.
Media enquiries: Gemma Woolley
01443 888337
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Zoom
We are a registered charity working with young people in the South Wales Valleys since 2006. We are the organisers of the International Young People’s Film Festival of Wales, which includes the Zoom Young Film-maker Awards.
As well as a board of trustees, we have a steering group of young people called the Zoom Film Council.
We provide a year round film and media training programme, with a portfolio of workshops that we deliver throughout Wales, and also work with young people to produce films.
Around 500 young people have taken part in our film and media training projects, in addition to over 10,000 who have attended our film festival. Through our partnerships with media professionals, we are uniquely placed to deliver training and education in the media in Wales.
About the Film Agency for Wales
Established in July 2006, the Film Agency for Wales is the sole Agency for film in Wales, with a remit to ensure that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented in Wales, the UK and the world. As a strategic agency, the Film Agency aims to facilitate the emergence of a viable and sustainable Welsh film industry and to promote a vibrant and dynamic film culture.
The Agency's priority is to identify and nurture Welsh filmmaking talent – particularly writers, directors, writer-directors and producers – by supporting and encouraging the development of their work, accomplishments and ambitions. We support a broad policy on film education to complement our central priority of creating and maintaining a dynamic film culture across Wales. We aim to enhance film literacy for all and stimulate an appetite for specialised, cultural and non-mainstream films.
The Film Agency for Wales is funded by the Arts Council of Wales, the UK Film Council and the Welsh Assembly Government, via Creative Business Wales
Young People working with Digital Media
The International Young People’s Film Festival of Wales
Company No. 05987623 | Charity No. 1124697