Kids compete to make movies

(CNS): The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) and the Cayman Islands Film Commission (CIFM) have come together to encourage young Caymanians to try their hand at making movies with a filmmaking competition. The “Young Image Makers Short Film Competition” is part of this year’s Cayfest arts festival and kids from 10 to 15 years old can enter the preliminary round of the competition by submitting a 2-5 minute video by 20 January. Videos can be shot with any kind of camera even a video phone and the winning film will earn is maker a scholarship to a one-week New York Film Academy Summer Camp.

From the preliminary submissions received, a select group will be chosen to go on to the final round and have the benefit of a one-day filmmaking workshop. The workshop will introduce the fundamentals of filmmaking, which the competitors will use in making their final project. Finalist in the “Young Image Makers Short Film Competition” will have their final projects screened at the Harquail Theatre during Cayfest in April.

 The winning film will also be aired on Cayman 27’s “Kidz Stuff” programme. Among those on the judging panel is Cayman’s very own Hollywood filmmaker Frank E. Flowers. CNCF is actively promoting the competition to schools and the CNCF said educators are very enthusiastic about getting their students involved. The school with the most entries will be recognized with a special award. Entries must be submitted on DVD or Memory Stick to CNCF at the Harquail Cultural Centre or to the Film Commission at the Cayman Corporate Centre on Hospital Road along with a registration form. Registration forms are available from both offices and from their websites: www.artscayman.org, click on Hot Topics and at www.cifilm.ky.