Newbury students win top awards at the 10th annual Moving Image Awards ceremony at the British Film Institute
TWO young filmmakers from Newbury’s St Bartholomew’s School took away top prizes at the 10th annual Moving Image Awards ceremony held at the British Film Institute on February 26.
Callum Doddington won Best Music Video and and Harvey Miller best Film/TV Extract.
Callum’s video Erase/ Replace consists of live action shots of the band as well as montage shots filling in as 'clues' to the bigger picture.
Harvey created a pre-title sequence and title sequence for an original TV product, AVA. The narrative revolves around a groundbreaking AI algorithm called AVA and the protagonist who delves into uncovering the truth behind it.
Proud students, parents, and teachers from across the UK gathered at the prestigious London event to celebrate the work of young directors, screenwriters and producers.
The Moving Image Awards, launched in 2014 in collaboration with the British Film Institute, recognises and celebrates the best moving image productions from students undertaking Eduqas qualifications in Film and Media across the UK.
Categories this year included Best Short Film, Music Video, TV/Film Extract, Screenplay, One to Watch and Student Jury Prize.
The judges commended Callum on his editing structure with excellent technical codes, creativity and narrative, and Harvey on his pacy editing to engage the audience and establish genre, as well as his camerawork and narrative.
“This has been such a great opportunity,” said Callum.
“Where do I go next from here? I’ve already got some projects in mind and will definitely be promoting my Moving Image Awards success when I go back to university!”
Harvey said: “I am so proud to have won this award. I’m just really really happy! I put in so much effort and it’s great to see something come out of it. I would say Black Mirror was my inspiration for the piece – it’s quite obvious when you watch it.”
The winning videos are available to view on the Moving Image Awards YouTube channel
The event has garnered acknowledgment from educators and professors of film and media studies at various institutions throughout the UK, along with prominent figures within the film industry. Among this year's guest speakers were film critic and former President of the UK Critics’ Circle Anna Smith, writer and director Lorna Tucker, feature film script editor Kate Leys and Metro chief film critic Larushka Ivan-Zadeh.
Larushka Ivan-Zadeh said: “Today’s award ceremony has been absolutely amazing. It’s always so inspiring! I believe the biggest challenge facing young people today is getting over their own limits and beliefs about being filmmakers. What we’ve taken away from today is that actually, the industry is an amazing place. There is enough work for everyone, you just have to really find your voice and believe in yourself. You have to believe that people really want to hear what you have to say and produce. Go for it!.”
Anna Smith said: “To the students who want to pursue a career in Film or TV I would just say, keep knocking on those doors – don’t give up! You must be very determined but also willing to learn all the way. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from someone you find inspirational.”
Eduqas film studies subject officer Jenny Stewart, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Moving Image Awards. The talent showcased this year is testament to the continued success and growth of the WJEC Eduqas Film and Media qualifications, and the hard work and innovation of young filmmakers and their teachers. We wish all entrants a huge congratulations on your achievements in film and media production.”
Eduqas chief executive Ian Morgan added: “The Moving Image Awards are always a highlight in my calendar. For a decade now, we’ve been recognising exceptional filmmaking talent, and this year was no different. Each and every entrant should be immensely proud of their achievement, no matter the result.
“We are also incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our judges. Their dedication and commitment have been instrumental in making this event the resounding success it is today.”
Winners:
Further awards went to:
Student Jury Prize
Cherry Ellis from Steyning Grammar School, for The Deep Mind Experience, an experimental stop frame animation, where the protagonist is taken on a psychedelic dream like journey inside his own subconscious mind.
Judges’ comments: “The judges were impressed with how the film uses contrasting images, colour and music to reflect the mundane real-world vs the colourful and beautiful world of the subconscious mind.”
Short Film:
Ricardo Sokolowska-Pedrosa from Dover Grammar School for Boys, for ‘Uninhabitable’, a short documentary about poor-quality accommodation and unscrupulous landlords taking advantage of vulnerable people in Dover.
Judges’ comments: “Excellent for all three categories: technical competence, form and genre, creativity, and resourcefulness. Great topic and excellent storytelling within the genre.”
Screenplay:
Nathan Mitchell from Strode's College, Egham for Motorway Pastures, a screenplay about a hitchhiker who begins to see the increasingly impossible, all while the ‘corn laughs and the sky splits.’
Judges’ comments: “Excellent horror film – clear control of time. Good visualisation and parallel storytelling. Brilliant.”
One to Watch:
Ruby Hagan from Upton Hall School FCJ in Birkenhead for Laika, a short experimental animation detailing the life of one of the first creatures in space: "Laika the Space Dog".
Judges’ comments: “A beautiful inventive animation based on the real-life story of Laika, the Soviet space dog who orbited earth in 1957. The film combines animation styles, including line drawing and painting to stunning effect.”
CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL THIS SUMMER
There’s another opportunity for young Berkshire and Oxfordshire filmmakers as The Children’s Film Festival returns following its success as part of the GAP Festival programme in 2022.
Visit the ‘newburyoday call-for-young-filmmakers-and-a-chance-to-walk-the-red-carpe-9348560 for the full story.