Youth initiative Ctrl.Alt.Shift have selected 5 lucky winners for their Short Film Competition, offering them the opportunity to work with some of the most inspiring, contemporary names from British film including Shynola (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy), Kinga Burza (Katy Perry – I Kissed A Girl), Paul Andrew Williams (London to Brighton) Saam Farahmand (Part of the Weekend Never Dies) and Jim Threapleton (Extraordinary Rendition). Entrants were asked to write a treatment around one of three issues that Ctrl.Alt.Shift is working to highlight: HIV + Stigma, War + Peace and Gender + Power.
The winners are:
Tim Travers Hawkins from Canterbury in Kent for ‘Western Heights’ (War + Peace)
Tim’s treatment is an animated poem/documentary in which 3 detainees at Western Heights Immigrant Removal Centre, Dover, express their feelings on war and peace. Each of them will compose a 3 minute poem with the help of a British poet.
Joe Patrick and Tim Woodall from Chorlton, Manchester for ‘The Musical’ (HIV + Stigma)
Chorlton residents Joe Patrick and Tim Woodall wrote their film treatment entitled ‘The Musical’ based around the theme ‘HIV and Stigma’. The two main aims of this film are to expose certain attitudes towards HIV and AIDS, as well as highlight how negative stereotypes are reinforced in the media and other commercial artistic platforms.
Fern Berresford from Hucknall, Nottingham for ‘Man Made’ (Gender + Power)
‘Man Made’ will be an ominous and haunting short that addresses the issue of gender + power. The basic premise centres on the sale of a shop mannequin The metaphor of a faceless mannequin being sold represents the treatment of women as property and the lack of self worth and identity that women feel due to poverty, lack of education and gender equalities prevalent in many societies.
Alex Monro and Sheila Menon from London for ‘No Way Through’ (War + Peace)
The film treatment is entitled ‘No Way Through’ and aims to highlight mobility restrictions that are limiting Palestinians' access to health care, thus violating their right to health.
Ben Newman from London for ‘War School’ (War + Peace)
Ben’s film aims to highlight the problems and consequences of children fighting for armed political groups in over 30 countries globally. He has based the dialogue and events within the treatment on accounts from real child soldiers.
To find out more about the competition visit http://www.ctrlaltshift.co.uk/film/#/Home
The young filmmakers will now be paired with a director mentor, who will help them hone their vision into a short film. Their films will be used to raise awareness about Ctrl.Alt.Shift and the issues on a global scale. The six short films that are produced will have their soundtracks scored by critically acclaimed artists including the 2007 Mercury Prize nominated Young Knives plus Shy Child, Metronomy, Jesca Hoop and The Thirst.
All winning films will be shown at a national premier in London later this year, where young filmmakers, director mentors and artists will unveil their thought provoking shorts, challenging their audience to rethink issues and join the fight to bring about change. By bringing together creative elite and fresh young talent the event will offer a unique platform for major global issues to be showcased.
Ctrl.Alt.Shift is a new and experimental youth sub brand of Christian Aid. Christian Aid works in some of the world’s poorest communities in 50 countries. We act where the needs are greatest, regardless of religion, helping people build the life that they deserve.
Visit http://www.ctrlaltshift.co.uk for more details.
