FILM COUNCIL TO SHINE ‘FIRST LIGHT’ ON CHILDREN

THE Film Council have announced a new partnership with Hi8us Projects to manage and run the Film Council’s innovative £1 million scheme called ‘First Light’ which will give children the opportunity to make short films on digital video.
The Film Council have been seeking a partner with specialist knowledge of children’s production to run the scheme. Birmingham-based Hi8us is a charity with a unique record in creating film and television projects with young people.
‘First Light’ will enable children aged eight to 18 to make films up to ten minutes long, using a range of new low cost digital technology. Working with mentors and advisors from the film industry, children will experience all the technical and creative roles involved in film-making, from scriptwriting to editing, set-construction to directing. As well as exciting possibilities for the broadcasting and exhibition of the films, the scheme will also produce a set of support materials to help children, youth workers and teachers through the whole production process.
John Woodward, CEO at the Film Council, said: “First Light is certainly the most important of the Film Council’s many new initiatives because we are tapping the source of possible great filmmakers of the future. The opportunity to unleash children’s creative abilities and encourage links between young people and the film industry is essential for the Film Council’s long term aims to build on the UK’s already prolific skills and talent base.”
Hi8us Projects’ Birmingham base is the springboard for this UK-wide scheme and places the project in the midst of a growing hub of film and television production companies, cultural and education organisations in Birmingham’s central Creative Industries quarter. (CD)