Film directors of the future

BUDDING film directors from Penketh High School have scooped a national award for their talents.

And they will be bidding for your support later this year for a people’s choice award in September.

The seven students wowed the judging panel, which included Sir Trevor MacDonald and Eddie Izzard, and were chosen from hundreds of entries to win a prestigious Languages and Film Talent Awards (LAFTAs) the first award of its kind celebrating foreign languages in film.

LAFTAs celebrate the linguistic talent of Britain’s young film-makers as part of a drive to inspire 13-21 year olds to understand and promote the benefits of learning languages through film.

Young people were invited to submit two-minute films illustrating why it is important to learn a language, with entries ranging from being lost in a foreign country, meeting the love of your life, to being attacked by sharks, cannibals or dragons.

The group from Penketh High, led by Assistant Head teacher Jacqui Jenkinson, has been awarded a LAFTA for their video ‘MFL’, a short film highlighting the importance of languages in a job; especially if you’re in charge of a country.

The film showed how communication becomes difficult if you only speak one language.

The award winners were treated to a trip to Munich to experience life in another language, sponsored by the Goethe Institut.

They will also be attending a star studded ceremony on 25 September and will be in with the chance of winning the people choice award when they face the public vote with three other winners.

Jacqui said: “A huge amount of work has gone into making all this happen but it has certainly been worthwhile. The students came up with the concept and made the whole thing happen and it was a pleasure to see them use their creative talents with such enthusiasm. I would like to congratulate our students and everyone who has been involved in this project.”

With language proving such an advantage in every aspect of life, CILT, the National Centre for Languages, is today urging young people to continue studying languages.

Teresa Tinsley, Director of Communications at CILT, said:

“It gives me great pleasure to announce that Penketh High has won a LAFTA – the first award of its kind celebrating young UK film talent while highlighting in a brand new way the need for the UK to up its game when it comes to learning foreign languages.

Chairman of the judging panel Sir Trevor McDonald, added:

“The LAFTAs show that there is a huge amount of young film talent out there and it’s great to see this being put to good use, as the benefits of having a language can’t be underestimated. I’m delighted to be involved in judging the first ever LAFTA awards and wish all the finalists the best of luck for the last stage of the competition.”

Minister for Schools Jim Knight, commented:

“This is a fantastic achievement for the pupils of Penketh High who have shown that the next generation of British film-makers may well make their mark on other countries.  Learning a language is one of the most fulfilling and beneficial skills a young person can develop. That’s why we’re investing over £50m a year to ensure all young people have the opportunity to learn a language.” 

Viewers can log on to www.multilingualvacancies.com/videos.php to view the short-listed videos and vote for their favourites.

Ends

Editor’s notes:

For further information contact:

Rosalind Holley      Bryony Partridge
Band & Brown       Band & Brown
ros@bbpr.com       BPartridge@bbpr.com
020 7419 8614      020 7419 6943

Catherine Mansfield
Press Officer
CILT, the National Centre for Languages
catherine.Mansfield@cilt.org.uk
020 7395 0850 ext 271

CILT, the National Centre for Languages

CILT, the National Centre for Languages seeks to promote a greater national capability in languages, supporting and developing multilingualism and intercultural competence in all sectors of society.

CILT manages major initiatives in support of languages. It works closely with partner organisations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and supports language networks throughout the UK. It is a key partner in the implementation of national languages strategies and plays a significant role in languages initiatives at European level.   For more information go to www.cilt.org.uk

Issued by:  Joanna Driscoll, Principal Communications Officer
Date:   Tuesday 15 July, 2008
Release: Immediate