Young film-makers put their talent on show at festival

The festival, now in its 13th year, saw Coronation Street star Suranne Jones supporting the Golden Owl awards held at Leeds Town Hall, given to film-makers from around the city aged three to 19-years-old.

Jones said: “It’s great to know there are so many talented young filmmakers in Leeds. I know that the standard has been really high, the children and young people should be really proud of themselves for having got this far and for showing everyone how skilful and imaginative they are.

“Film-making is all about working together as a team to tell stories so no matter who wins keep working together and keep making fantastic films.”

The film festival aimed at young people, which becomes a teenager itself this year, has grown since its inception from being a festival featuring movies aimed at young people to an event now programmed by them.

The festival is jointly organised between Leeds City Council and Mediafish – a co-operative of 14 to 19-year-olds who are involved in the organisation, programming and marketing of the festival and in a variety of screenings, workshops and masterclasses all year.

Festival director Debbie Maturi said: “We’re thrilled that once again we can offer something a little bit more than a regular visit to the multiplex, and our audiences will not be disappointed with the selection of films we have available this year. We have maintained our fantastic value prices and are all looking forward to celebrating our first year as a teenager with families and young people from across the city.”

The festival, which runs until April 5, features screenings of hit movies and hidden gems, with 30 screenings during the two-week period of the festival, which opened on Monday. A number of the screenings take place at Hyde Park Picture House, but there are other venues around the city, including the giant screen in Leeds Town Hall.

There is also another new competition celebrating young talent across the country. The INDIs (for independent directors), open to any independent film-makers under the age of 25 will come to a close when the winners are announced at Hyde Park Picture House on Monday, with the overall winner being presented with the Film and Video Institute Award (IAC) for the best independent film and a cash prize of £250 towards their next film.

Among the major screenings is a special preview of We Are Poets at Leeds Town Hall tonight. The film follows a group of Leeds teenagers on a visit to Washington DC to represent the UK in the world’s largest poetry slam competition.

The screening will be hosted by poet Benjamin Zephaniah and will also feature a live poetry slam.

The closing gala features the latest movie from Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The Cabin in the Woods is a genre-bending movie screened at Hyde Park Picture House on Thursday at 6pm and 8.15pm.

This weekend highlights include a singalong screening of The Lion King and Monsters with a live satellite question and answer session with director Gareth Edwards.

Full details and listings for the festival are at www.leedsyoungfilm.com