Mediabox

Mediabox films screened at 2009 Co-operative Young Filmmakers Festival

Four short films written and created by young people with the help of Mediabox, were screened at the 2009 Co-operative Young Film-Makers Festival held at the National Media Museum, Bradford, last month.

Two of the young filmmakers attended the event, which took place on 8 and 9 October, including 18-year-old Sarah Coupe from Lancashire and 15-year-old Mary-Kate Smith O’Brien.

Sarah has not been to school since she was nine years old and is on dialysis three times a week. Her film, It’s My Life offers an extraordinary insight into what it’s like to be Sarah and her astounding positivity.

How to Grieve, made by Mary-Kate Smith O’Brien, is an open and honest portrayal of a group of young people, all of whom have lost a parent. It tells the story of the difficulties Mary-Kate has faced since losing her father when she was just 12 years old.

“I felt completely lost when my Dad died,” says Mary-Kate, “and I know that there are thousands out there who have gone through the same experience. Grief is not pleasant, but life should be. I hope this film will help people prepare for grief… there is no set way to grieve. I felt like I was doing it the wrong way.”

It’s My Life and How to Grieve were amongst 100 films created by young people under 19 years of age, that were chosen by the Co-operative advisory board to appear at the event.

Festival organiser Debbie Kendal said: “The Co-operative Young Film-Makers Festival is a major national event and has helped showcase the talents of thousands of youngsters and inspired many to go on to work in the film industry.
 
“It was an overwhelming success this year and we had fantastic feedback from the youngsters, and their families, about how good an opportunity it was to see their work on the big screen.
 
“There is an amazing amount of creativity and talent out there and we are now really looking forward to receiving entries for next year. It’s a great opportunity and we urge both experienced movie-makers and those who have never made a film before to give it a try.”

For more information on the Film Festival visit http://www.youngfilm-makers.coop