Four Oldham filmmakers have been nominated for Best Film by those aged 12 to 15 at a national film award.
The 2022 Into Film Awards will celebrate the best young filmmakers and the use of film in education across the UK.
Mia Canny, Serena Watcher-Adu, Miyoko Wikerski, and Leroy Kieran Silika from Skills 4 All in Oldham will attend a star-studded ceremony at ODEON Luxe in London’s Leicester Square on Tuesday, June 28.
Their short film, Shades of Beauty, explores notions of beauty, representation, and race as a young girl looks at a range of glossy magazines and doesn’t see herself reflected in any of them.
Miyoko said: “I hadn't known what I wanted to do in the future, but when I was invited to this club it really showed me what I was able to do!
“It brought me new skills and knowledge, and I just really fell in love with it! I love filmmaking.”
Serena said: “Filmmaking is important to me so you can connect to the world around you.”
Community Interest Organisation "Skills 4 All" ran a 12-week programme to help build the skills of potential filmmakers, running sessions on everything from storyboarding to sound techniques.
Two of the nominees have gone on to create their own filmmaking teams within their school and are currently working independently to create a film about online safety and gaming.
The awards are hosted by film education charity Into Film, which engages with more than half of UK schools and counts Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Jack Lowden, Michael Sheen and Naomie Harris among its Ambassadors.
The Into Film Awards honours incredible Into Film Clubs, educators, and talented young review writers – as well as a host of remarkable films submitted across six filmmaking categories.
Other films nominated this year cover a wide range of themes and topics including the impact of lockdown on mental health, Ukrainian cultural identity, climate change and environmental protection, managing OCD, anti-bullying, the importance of kindness, and the anniversary of the introduction of integrated education in Northern Ireland.
The awards are funded with support from the film industry through sponsorship and supported by the BFI using National Lottery funding.
Previous celebrity presenters at the event include Lily James, Daniel Craig, Amma Asante, Luke Evans, Gemma Arterton, David Walliams, Will Poulter, Tom Davis, Malachi Kirby, Bill Nighy, and Gwendoline Christie.
More information about the Into Film Awards can be found on its website.
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