Plastic bag takes young filmmaker to Big Apple

(CNS): Connor Hoeksema left Grand Cayman on Saturday tospend a week at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) courtesy of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) and the Cayman Islands Film Commission (CIFC), after tying for first place in the Cayfest Young Image Makers Short Film Competition. Documenting the life of a plastic bag the young would be movie man was one of several young people who entered the competition which included a video basics workshop for finalists hosted by Apex Video Solutions and a gala premiere.

The CNCF created the programme in 2010 to encourage young people to explore their creativity and the possibility of a career in film. Once the idea was presented to the Cayman Islands Film Commission, the two organisations collaborated not only to create the competition, but also, to award one student a scholarship to the New York Film Academy’s summer movie camp.

Of the 78 entries received this year, 13 films made it to the final round of the competition and in fact the quality of films was so impressive, that two young persons were awarded the trip to New York!   The other winner, Eric Caraballo of Cayman Brac High School will be travelling to the NYFA Teen Summer Movie Camp at the end of July. 

“The YIM programme is one that, we at CNCF want to see expanded over time, so that more young people have the opportunity to explore the possibilities of a career in film,” said Rita Estevanovich, Programmes Manager at CNCF. “We’re very pleased with the marked improvement in the quality and quantity of the short films and I am particularly pleased that this year, not one but two young people will be able to take advantage of this great opportunity.”

See Connor’s film here

YIM 2011 WINNERS:

People’s Choice Award
3rd runner up: Niklas Wolfe with ADVENTURES OF TOWELY
2nd runner up: Nicola Galvin with A SEAFARER’S TALE
1st runner up: Tsin Zan Graham with ANT MOVIE
WINNER: CONNOR HOEKSEMA with LIFE OF A PLASTIC BAG

YIM Overall Winners
3rd runner up: Lauren Daije with DEATH OR LIFE
2nd runner up: Nicola Galvin with A SEAFARER’S TALE
1st runner up: Rayan Fresard with WAKING UP
WINNERS: CONNOR HOEKSEMA with LIFE OF A PLASTIC BAG and ERIC CARABALLO with MY DEAD STORY

Winning School, for Most Entries 2011: Cayman International School