Last year’s Blast Film festival saw the first year of a successful working relationship between BBC Blast and the BFI.  During a one-day event and film screening, over 400 young people from across the UK were involved in workshops, master-classes and Q&A sessions with industry experts that included Film Critic, Jason Solomon and Writer/Director Paul Andrew Williams.

This year, the festival is back… and bigger.  Re-named ‘Future Film Live’ and hosted by Blast, the BFI and Mediabox, the event will be three days of inspiration, encouragement and practical help for young filmmakers.  As well as workshops there will be an emphasis on industry panels and surgeries, where 13 – 25 year olds will be able to get advice on everything from securing funding for short films to directing a three-camera shoot.

As well as film screenings and discussions throughout the daytime, there will be two evening screenings that will celebrate the achievements of some of the best up and coming filmmakers.  The programme for Saturday 14th will be a collection of shorts curated by the BFI ‘Future Films’ young people and Friday 13th will be an evening to celebrate the Blast Bursary winners as they, along with young people from other film organisations, receive awards for their achievements.  This ceremony will be hosted by Radio 1’s Film Critic, James King with input from the BBC’s Creative Director, Alan Yentob and other industry professionals.

Dates: 13th – 15th February 2009
Age range: 13 – 25 yrs (workshops/screenings to be streamed.)

Blast Bursary Scheme Overview

NB: The winners for 2008/9 have now been selected and will start their Bursary placements after the Future Film Live event in February.  They will be placed with mentors from BBC Drama, BBC Comedy, BBC Current Affairs and music video/animation house Draw Pictures.

Following on from a successful scheme last year, BBC Blast is once again getting ready to showcase the best of young filmmaking talent.   Last year’s Film Festival saw three hours of young people’s films broadcast on BBC2 and three Blast filmmakers were given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand their skills through placements with industry partners.

This year, Blast is offering five exciting placements to young filmmakers from 16-19 years old.   Filmmakers will enter their work to the Blast competition and will not only see their work on BBC2 but also be present at a Blast youth film festival to be run in partnership with the BFI in Spring 2009.  This Festival will mark the start of the year for our five winners who will receive a £3000 bursary to be used in consultation with their industry mentor to make a new film that will feature in next year’s Blast festival and at other venues during the year.

For more information, please contact:  Katy Holbird (BBC Blast Film Co-ordinator) on katy.holbird1@bbc.co.uk