Pupils from Rhymney Comprehensive School have scored a national award at the Into Films Awards 2016, which was held at London’s prestigious Leicester Square Odeon cinema on Tuesday March 15.
The budding filmmakers were nominated in the ‘Best Animation by 13s and Over’ category, and beat off competition by fellow nominees from Arts University Bournemouth and the British Film Institute Academy.
“Winning this award feels like a real platform for the future. I’ve applied to study English and Media at university and I’ll definitely do more filmmaking” said 17-year-old Carys Shepherd.
Mark Williams, a teacher at Rhymney Comprehensive School added: “We wanted our students to use this project as an opportunity to develop their skills and their confidence to apply to university.
“Making the film and winning the award has shown them that the world of film is open to you even if you come from a small town in South Wales.”
Rhymney Comprehensive was recognised for its short animation, Flow, described as “an abstract exploration of sensation and emotion through the use of poetry and associated images.”
Welsh actor Michael Sheen, who was also on this year’s judging panel, said: “It’s been a real pleasure to be one of this year’s judges for the Into Film Awards. The films are of such high quality and it’s really exciting to see young people with so much talent receiving such fantastic support in their creative efforts. Everyone wins. A real success story all round.”
“It’s absolutely fantastic to see so much talent coming from Wales. I mean we know there’s plenty of talent in Wales, but it’s great to see it on display and being recognised, it’s fantastic.”
The winners will be offered mentoring and professional support to help develop their involvement with the film industry.
Primary aims of the programme in Wales include tackling cultural poverty in disadvantaged areas, boosting literacy, and nurturing the potential for creative industry careers.
Not exactly Disney Pixar but not bad for a bunch of school kids. However, the fact a degree students were beat makes me worry about the animation industry in the UK.
Good on em.