Awards for cinematic teens at International Youth Film Festival

E3+ students in Rhondda Cynon Taf have been showing off their movie making skills this month and scooping top awards at the International Youth Film Festival in Cardiff.

The students from Bryn Celynnog and Treorchy Comprehensive Schools have been busy over the last year working with Hugh Griffiths, who runs filmmaking workshops with E3+.

The students from Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive - Zoe Williams, Ellie Herbert, Tomos Gapper, Jade Williams, Stephanie Railton, Courtney Rowlands, Josh Cole, Nicola Rogers, Lyndsey Rogers, Emily Carter, Ethan Baker, Alex Knill and Aaron Cumper set about creating a sci-fi extravaganza exploring the dangers of the competitive world. The young people named their film Buzz!Buzz!Buzz! – A high school and scooped the Best International Student Film Award during the festival.

This film also won first place in its age category at the Zoom, Young Filmmakers Awards back in January this year.

The young people from Treorchy Comprehensive - Bronwyn Ellis, Matthew Leon, Jazmin Williams, Ethan Gwyn and Ellen Bowen created a satire film based on media health scares. It was set in a post apocalyptic school and called The Message. The students won the prestigious award for the Best UK short film.

The students’ prizes were awarded by celebrity, actor and writer, Boyd Clack, who recently appeared with Faye Dunaway in horror film Flick and writes and stars in BBC programmes Satellite City and High Hopes.

Hugh Griffiths, E3+ Film Workshop Tutor, said: "I’m really pleased for both the groups. They totally dedicated themselves to their films, producing some slamming work, and they thoroughly deserve their awards. I always look forward to the E3+ filmmaking sessions. With the kids’ boundless imagination and energy, I find it easy to get caught up in the creative maelstrom and it is often hard to discern who was the teacher and who was the pupil."

Councillor Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: "Its really good to see young people doing so well in activities like this and winning awards at an international level! I am pleased that they are able to have the opportunity to be involved in filmmaking and the creative industries, which could open opportunities to allow them to follow this career path. Well done!"

Minister for Children, Education Lifelong Learning and Skills Jane Hutt, who attended and presented an award at the event, said: "I am delighted to have been invited to attend and present an award at the International Youth Film Festival Awards.

"The Festival plays an important role in showcasing the work of talented young filmmakers from around the world. The films, videos and moving images staged during this festival have been diverse and inspirational. I am certain that the work produced this year will enthuse and motivate other budding independent filmmakers across the world."

If you would like to find out more about E3+ activities taking in place in your area or school call 01443 744010.