KIRKLEES College is taking a leading role in bringing the British Youth Film Academy to Yorkshire.
And they hope to provide young people with opportunities to make a break into show business.
Last year students from Kirklees College’s Highfields Centre in Huddersfield applied and took part in the North West region’s film production of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’.
And this year Karen Matula, Kirklees College’s head of creative industries, has helped to establish a Yorkshire branch of the academy.
It allows students from the region to spend five weeks at a summer camp in Yorkshire to produce a film. Auditions for this have just been held at the college.
The British Youth Film Academy (BYFA) is funded by The Co-operative and aims to give young people aged 14 to 25 the chance to work with professional film-makers on a real film set, regardless of background, contacts or experience.
Ms Matula, chairman of the Yorkshire region’s BYFA, said: “Last year a few of our students were involved in the film production which was made on the summer camp near Manchester.
“Two of our performing arts learners starred in the film and one of our bands also featured. It was an excellent experience.”
The theme for this year’s film will be Shakespeare ‘with a twist’, but the script and title are strictly under wraps until the summer camp begins!
The 2010 film will premiere at the Odeon cinema in Huddersfield in April in front of current and past students from Kirklees College. It has already attracted interest from the film and TV industry.
Amy Lodge, 19, from Birkenshaw, said: “I got to audition and take part in another short film when I was there.
“We were asked if we were interested in lots of different projects, which was great experience.”
Ryan Russell, 19, from Holmfirth, said: “We worked with professional actors and learnt so much more from the experience.”
For more information on the British Youth Film Academy go to: www.britishyouthfilmacademy.com
