Young film-makers put town on silver screen – and global stage
YOUNG film-making talent in Rotherham was celebrated at a special cinematic event – complete with a blockbuster announcement.
Students aged under 16 from Badsley Primary School, Broom Valley Primary, and Oakwood High created a series of documentary and promotional films exploring local stories, people and the communities around them including Clifton Park, Rotherham Hospice, Oakwood Hall, and Rotherham Foodbank.
A special screening event of the films was held at University Centre Rotherham on Doncaster Gate and attended by pupils, film producer Rob Speranza of South Yorkshire Filmmakers Network, film educators Ciné Schools, charity PHASE Worldwide, and Rotherham MP Sarah Champion.
Rob Speranza said: “Ciné Schools has had a massive presence in Rotherham in the last couple of years and I have been lucky enough to work with these three schools.
“It's gone really, really well and I’ve just been blown away by the enthusiasm and talent of these young people.”
Following the screenings George Young from Ciné Schools and founding director of the Children's International Film Festival said: “We are incredibly fortunate to make a very big announcement today.
“We had the Children's International Film Festival in Kingston last year and this year it’s in Hastings.
“We have decided we are going to have the Children's International Film Festival in Rotherham next year.
“That will mean schools from countries including the Ukraine, Netherlands, Germany, the USA, and Canada will all be coming to Rotherham – we can’t wait and thank you so much for having us.”
Sarah Champion said: “I am so excited about the announcement.
“We have got so many creative people living in this town, young people who aspire to have a career in the creative industries, but also so many successful people are from Rotherham that are now on the international stage representing us that – of course this film festival should be in Rotherham in 2027.
“What a great honour it is for our town and our people that it’s coming here.”
Lyndsey McLellan, director of PHASE Worldwide, said: “PHASE Worldwide, funded by the National Lottery, is committed to inspiring, empowering and enriching young people’s lives through film.
“We can’t wait to partner with the Children’s International Film Festival Rotherham in 2027.”
.