RTS NORTH EAST AND BORDER CENTRE HONOURS STUDENTS AT YOUNG PEOPLES’ MEDIA FESTIVAL
Young people with a passion for broadcasting and filmmaking have been celebrated at one of the region’s most prestigious media events.
The University of Sunderland hosted the RTS North East and Border Centre, Young Peoples’ Media Festival (YPMF) on Wednesday 18 May. The festival celebrates work from students, schools and colleges throughout the North East, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria.
BBC senior producer (and RTS award-winning presenter) Chris Jackson hosted the event. BBC TV’s Wolfblood star, Rachel Teate, also attended and helped Tony Edwards (Festival Director) and Graeme Thompson (Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Media) present the winning teams and those commended with the specially-designed and RTS-approved trophies and certificates.
The showcase event for young filmmakers has been running in the region for more than two decades and has proved an important stepping stone for would-be producers and directors aged from 14 to 19. There were more than 35 entries which involved nearly 145 young people and they were judged for their creativity, storytelling, craft skills, originality and the creativity shown by the entrants.
The Drama Category was won by YOUnique, a film from 15 year-old Katie Stubbs from Cleadon, Tyne and Wear. The judges agreed that Katie had taken a sophisticated approach to her film, and felt the use of music and sound was well executed.
Katie was also awarded an RTS Commendation Certificate in the Factual Category for Wartime Memories, which the judges said was well made, with good interview technique and effective use of archive material.
Emily Moorby and Beth Moorby from Hartlepool Sixth Form College were presented with winner's trophies in the Entertainment Category for their film Twenty One Pilots, which the judges felt was intriguing from the start, well edited and a good story well told.
The Professionally Supported Category is designed to attract entries from those courses run for young people, who have the benefit of support from professionals in the industry. This year there were a significant number of entries in this category and three winners were chosen. From Carlisle College, Kasia Staniecka, Lucy Adam, Simon Little, Daniel O’Connor, Hannah Kay and Sam Horton, received the prize for Drama for their entry, Subjected to Happiness, which the judges said was well acted, with good use of sound and dramatic editing.
Charlie Stone (also from Carlisle College) was awarded the prize for Entertainment for The Demon Barbers: Disco at the Tavern. The judges felt this film clearly displayed originality, energy and pace through excellent editing.
The Factual prize in the Professionally Supported Category went to Northern Stars’ Lauren Johnson, Georgia Middlemiss, Matthew Wilson and Joe Helm for Closure. The judges agreed that this film created a powerful atmosphere with effective use of music and editing and camera techniques.
The awards took place in the digital cinema of the prestigious David Puttnam Media Centre on the University’s Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s on the banks of the River Wear.
Graeme Thompson, Dean of Arts Design and Media at the University of Sunderland, and Chair of the RTS North East and the Border Centre, said: “I am delighted we were able to host more than 150 young people and their teachers at this event . As a university we are passionate about creativity and believe young people should be given every encouragement to grow their talent. Bringing together the students of the future with the professionals of the present was a real privilege.”
Tony Edwards, Festival Director and member of the RTS Regional Committee, said: “I was delighted that we had so many entries for this year’s event. More than ever! I was also really pleased there were so many entries in the Professionally Supported Category
This clearly shows that, for young people, media represents an outlet for their creativity even when this is not available from their educational institutions. This year’s entries have showcased the talent that the North East has, and some of the work really has been truly exceptional.
“I think the most important thing about this Festival is to give reward and encouragement to our young people’s creativity and commitment. An RTS Certificate and Trophy is that recognition.”
[Pictures by 2 Tone Photography]
In addition to the University of Sunderland, other sponsors for the event were Gateshead College, Teesside University, Northumbria University and the RTS.
