Winners of BPF Shorts Film Competition Announced

Director Simon Curtis says teenagers' efforts enriched and refreshed his film making

Last Saturday saw the prize-giving and screening of the top films in the BPF Shorts short film competition.

BPF Shorts was established last year by award-winning photographer Kelvin Murray, with actors Colin Firth and Kevin McNally leading the jury. The competition was set up as part of the Bedford Park Festival and is designed specifically for 12-18 year olds, to encourage and nurture young film makers to make their own short films.

Film and TV Director Simon Curtis (best known for his recent feature 'My Week with Marilyn' and TV series Cranford ) headed the jury and awarded this year's first prize. Speaking at the prize-giving alongside Kelvin Murray, Simon said he was delighted to lead the jury and impressed by the standard of the shortlisted films. Viewing the shorts, he remarked that seeing the teenagers' work “enriches and refreshes my own ideas about film-making”.

Fellow jury member, Charlie Phillips, Creative Director of Mind's Eye (the production company behind the Lynx advertising campaigns) awarded the second and third prizes and freelance film and visual effects editor Jens Baylis gave a short talk on editing to the assembled young filmmakers.

Nicky Kelly of the BPF Shorts Committee (also comprising Richard Broke and Miriam Morris) said there was an open brief this year: “ We were looking for imaginative, innovative storytelling. Films to delight, excite and involve audiences. Whatever story young filmmakers were inspired to tell. What's great is to see kids meeting through the Competition and making films together. The creativity and range of films was really refreshing. It makes the hard work of putting the Competition together worthwhile. ”

The winning films will be available to view on the Bpf Shorts website later this month. A trailer comprising highlights of this years' films can be seen at https://vimeo.com/44715029.

Visit www.bpfshorts.co.uk to find out more and be inspired.

All winning and specially commended film makers will be invited on a special visit to The National Film & Television School.

Winner First Prize

Withdrawal

James Owen & Jesse Nunn

Prize: Canon 550D and lens

Winner Joint Second Prize

Today by Hana Kapetanovich

The Elephants Are Coming by Hector Gifford & Oscar Stooke

Joint Prize: Day on set at Mind's Eye Production Company

Winner Joint Third Prize

Domestic by Charlotte Lepic