Two short films made by young people in the Falkirk Council area have star quality, according to the International Amateur Film Competition (IAC).
Under Pressure, by Maddiston Young Women’s Health Group, and Think Before you Give, by Kersiebank Youth Club, were made with a youth audience in mind and were awarded three and two stars respectively in this year’s competition.
Both short films, along with seven others produced by young film-makers, were shown at a special “Oscars”-type ceremony on Tuesday at FTH Cinema, Falkirk Town Hall. The subjects tackled in the films include peer pressure, social situations and health issues faced by many young people today.
There were 245 entrants from around the world.
Neither of the winning youth groups had worked on film projects before. Maddiston has gone on to develop its film to be used as a peer education tool, while Kersiebank has made a music promo animation short for its local band Icon 66, which included filming at the Barrowlands in Glasgow.
Their entries were rated as “showing promise”, “well made” and “technically competent”. The judging panel noted: “It should be remembered that there is no ‘junior’ class as such. This means that the films have been judged against adults, so they have done extremely well.”
The projects were made possible with funding from the Local Action Fund which supports activities that divert young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour.