A THRILLING night at Tyneside Cinema this coming weekend will be showcasing the work of talented young filmmakers.
On the night before Halloween, the Newcastle cinema is to screen the shortlisted entries to its first-ever Young Tyneside Film Challenge which saw more than 30 submissions from 120 local teenagers.
It’ll be a red carpet affair with guests enjoying a drinks reception before taking their seats for a few scary short movies all on the subject of Halloween.
And one of the surprises of Sunday night will be the ticket price, with entry costing just 75p in line with the cinema’s 75th anniversary year celebrations.
The competition saw aspiring young film-makers compete in three age categories: 13 and under; 14-16 year-olds, and 17-19.
The films were shortlisted by their peers: young people involved in projects at the cinema, such as Pickin’ Flicks, a young programmers group; Northern Stars, the filmmaking academy; and members of The Factory, a digital art space.
Mike Tait, the young people’s projects officer involved, said: “We’ve been amazed by the response from all across the region.
“The quality and range of the films is thrilling, from animation to mockumentary to several full-on zombie fests!”
One of the films shortlisted in the 17-19 category was made by Kristian Wilson and his friends and he said: “The fact that our film’s going to be shown with the other finalists’ entries on the big screen at the Tyneside, in front of everyone else that’s been invited to the event, already feels like we’ve won.
“I can’t wait to come and see it!”
Each age category will have a winner and one film will be chosen overall to win a trophy and a prize of £500 in Amazon vouchers to put towards future film-making. The final decisions on the award will be made by a group of film professionals.
The Young Tyneside Film Challenge, programmed as part of Juice Festival, runs its gala screening at Tyneside Cinema from 6pm on Sunday, with 75p tickets available from www.tynesidecinema.co.uk, 08452 179 909 or the box office in person.
Barbara Hodgson