Young filmmakers attend exclusive festival at British Film Institute
Young filmmakers recently visited the centre of British cinema for a formal red carpet event.
On Sunday, eight students from The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts in Tilehurst attended the PQA Southern Regional Film Festival at BFI Southbank in London.
The students viewed their award-winning short film Angel for the first time in a national venue.
Students filmed their Christmas film in the space of a weekend last December as part of the Secret Santa Film Challenge, which they won.
Tilly, 11, said: "It was fantastic. They laid out a red carpet and had photographers, so we had to dress to impress.
"It was amazing to see all our hard work on the big screen. I loved going on stage, as we got to explain how we made the film, the difficulties we had and how we used all the equipment.
"Next time, I would make a comedy as I like seeing people laugh."
A total of 90 films were selected and screened from 220 academies and were all made over the past 18 months. Students also benefited from a variety of workshops organised throughout the day.
Reading academy principal Doug Kirby said: "I am extremely proud of the commitment and talent our students showed in making this film and am grateful to our film and TV teacher and the parents.
"So many students were involved and sadly could not all come to receive their award, so we ran a draw for the tickets and the lucky winners enjoyed the trip to the BFI, with lunch afterwards. Everyone said what stars and great ambassadors they were for the academy."
The academy will also perform on stage in the West End next January.
The Reading academy opened in 2016, with Mr Kirby taking over in 2017. It provides industry training and guidance in film and television, comedy and drama and musical theatre to children aged from six to 18. Sessions run in the morning and afternoon every Saturday at Denefield School, Tilehurst.
Contact 07856 364920 or email doug.kirby@pqacademy.com to enrol or seek further information.
The Pauline Quirke Academy was originally founded in 2007 by British actor Pauline Quirke, of Birds of a Feather fame, and now has academies across the country.
