Newshoots festival of pupils’ films

ONCE again young film makers from both independent and state schools locally and internationally, are coming together for the fifth, Newshoots film making competition.

Newshoots is taking place on Friday, October 16, 2009, in the state of the art media suite at Wheatley Park School, Holton, Oxfordshire. The competition enables students from independent and state schools to work collaboratively and share good practice, and this year brings together seven schools – Lord William?s School, Wheatley Park School, The Abingdon School, Bicester Community College, The Cherwell School, King Alfred?s School and The Marlborough School.

In the past, Newshoots has attracted entries from as far a field as Denmark and South Africa. Guests and presenters have included Dick Fontaine, Head of Documentary Film Making at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, Wesley Smith and Hannah Shellswell of Central Television, Richard Bradley, Director of Lion Television, Boris Johnson and Mark Reid, Head of Education at the BFI.

This year’s guest judge will be Director/Producer Ruki Sidhwa, who has worked on many BBC documentaries and programmes such as Crimewatch UK and Children In Need.

Over five years, Newshoots has changed considerably in format to its present ?salon? style format with the emphasis on critical reflection, discussion and networking. Discussions will be based around the introduction of the new A level specifications by the examination boards. Competing students have the opportunity to challenge the judges on their decisions.

Image courtesy of www.real-time.org.uk/involved.html