Shrewsbury students see movie accepted into leading film festival
A film made by and starring students from Shrewsbury College of Art and Technology is set to get the red carpet treatment in London later this month.
The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy movie ‘Julius Caesar’ – adapted for screen and directed by Adam Lee Hamilton and John Montegrande – gave more than 150 young people from across the region a unique professional film-making experience as they became the cast and crew for a feature-film set to receive a World premiere screening at the Raindance Film Festival, Piccadilly Circus, London, on 6 October.
The film was shot in the West Midlands in the summer of 2010 and, earlier this year, students from the region attended a special cast and crew screening of the film in City-centre Manchester.
The film is competing in the ‘micro-budget feature’ category of this year’s Raindance Film Festival and is described as a modern-day cinematic adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic play. While still staying faithful to the original story of friendship, loyalty and betrayal, this adaptation replaces Rome with a mysterious, post-apocalyptic underworld inhabited by warring gangs of youths.
Running from 28 September - 9 October, the Festival’s full line-up this year boasts more than 30 international premieres and includes films from established actors such as: John Hurt, Jodie Whittaker, Emilia Fox, Dougray Scott, Simon Callow, David Warner and Billy Zane.
Adam Lee Hamilton, co-director of Julius Caesar – who also directed The Co-operative British Youth Film Academy’s (BYFA) latest film, Henry IV Part 1, in Shrewsbury this summer, said: “I am delighted and proud of the film’s acceptance into the prestigious Raindance Film Festival – it is a proud moment for me, not least because it showcases the talents and achievements of the young people involved in all aspects of its production.”
Michael Fairclough, The Co-operative Group’s Head of Community and Co-operative Investment, added: “The film’s acceptance into Raindance is a remarkable achievement and illustrates how young people can realise their potential and accomplish amazing things with a little support and encouragement - The Co-operative’s partnership with BYFA is playing a key role in helping us to bring about a cultural shift in the way young people are viewed and treated in this country, a key objective of our commitment to Inspiring Young People.”
Since 2009, BYFA has worked with more than 10,000 students through its films and technical workshops in schools and colleges. The Co-operative Group has recently announced its continued support for BYFA as part of its commitment to inspiring young people – The Co-operative’s £1.2m, six year partnership, now extends until at least 2014.
Dee Young, Head of School for Art, Media, ICT & Sport at Shrewsbury College, added: “This is fantastic news, Shrewsbury College is proud to be a member of BYFA, it’s remarkable to see how much students from across the region grow in confidence, technique and, as individuals, through their engagement with this filming process.”
