Summary:
Aspiring Michael Moores, Morgan Spurlocks and Molly Dineens take note - Channel 4’s FourDocs and Mediabox have joined forces to create an exclusive competition for disadvantaged 13-19 year olds.
More Information:
http://www.channel4.com/mediabox
BUDDING FILMMAKERS OF TOMORROW……
Aspiring Michael Moores, Morgan Spurlocks and Molly Dineens take note - Channel 4’s FourDocs and Mediabox have joined forces to create an exclusive competition for disadvantaged 13-19 year olds to write, direct and produce their own short documentaries. Ten films will be made and the overall winning film will be broadcast on Channel 4.
Mediabox is a £6 million Department for Children, Schools and Families fund for disadvantaged young people to make creative media projects about issues that are important to them. FourDocs is Channel 4’s broadband documentary channel offering both practical support and a high profile platform for people to make and display their own personal documentaries. The Mediabox partnership with FourDocs is therefore a perfect fit whose key aim is to showcase young people’s work on mainstream platforms.
The competition launches on Saturday 30th June and aspiring film makers should visit www.channel4.com/mediabox to submit a 200 word proposal. The judging panel is looking for unique ideas that will translate well into a 3-5 minute film. There are no restrictions on ideas – applicants should let their imaginations run wild! The closing date for entries is 6pm on Monday 16th July. Ten finalists will win £500 to create their film and will be assigned a film industry mentor who will guide them through the film making process.
Mediabox and Channel 4 will also host a practical workshop for the mentors and young people, aimed at fleshing out ideas and advising on all aspects of film production. The mentors will be provided by Media Trust’s Youth Mentoring scheme which links disadvantaged young people to media industry professionals and Channel 4.
The competition is specifically for young people who don’t usually have the opportunity to participate in positive activities – full eligibility details are listed on the site. Examples include young people from economically deprived areas, those in care or who are carers, excluded or about to be excluded from school, young parents, ethnic minority groups and young people with learning difficulties or disabilities.
Andy Duncan, Chief Executive, Channel 4 said: “I am delighted that Channel 4 is able to support this documentary filmmaking initiative for disadvantaged young people in partnership with Mediabox and help provide a platform for those whose voice otherwise remains unheard. We at Channel 4 are committed to nurturing talent and initiatives like this ensure that emerging creatives from all parts of society are given a very real chance.”
Ten films will be made and the overall winning film will be chosen in September and broadcast on Channel 4 and Community Channel’s youth platform Charge in the autumn.