Midlands Youth Film Festival
Back to List05/10/2009
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
Press Release Issued 5th October 2009
Tallaght Young Filmmakers Win 1st Place at Midlands Youth Film Festival
Tallaght Young Filmmakers left the Co-motion Film Festival in Mullingar on October 1, 2009 with first place in the group category.
Co-Motion Film Festival, based in the Midlands, provides a public platform for talented young people to express themselves and an opportunity for their peers to see what they can do. Co-Motion believes in film as a powerful medium for young people to give voice to their ideas and talents. The festival is funded by Westmeath County Council’s Arts Office, the Arts Council of Ireland and supported by Belvedere House.
Tallaght Young Filmmakers’ winning film, ‘Tale of Genji’ (2009) is a sinister film of love and deception based on an ancient Japanese story of the same name. The film, told in Japanese with English subtitles, was shot on location in Tallaght Library. The film was directed by Tallaght Young Filmmaker, Chris Greene, with other members acting, covering sound, lighting, camera, and continuity. Mentors include filmmaker Olivia Fitzsimons and filmmaker Eric O’Shaughnessy as well as DCTV editor John Breslin. Filmmaker Brian Durnin also assisted with the making of the film.
This is the second award that ‘Tale of Genji’ has earned, gaining a ‘special mention’ at NOISE Flicks 2009, a film festival initiated by South Dublin County Council’s Arts Office.
Tallaght Young Filmmakers formed in 2008. The group was developed by young people themselves who had been participating in South Dublin County’s Film Programme facilitated by Olivia Fitzsimons, then Film and Visual Arts Coordinator for West Tallaght, in Killinarden Community School as well as Jobstown Community College. That programme was supported by the RAPID Programme and the Dormant Accounts Fund as well as South Dublin County Council’s Arts Office.
Interested in forming an after school film club solely dedicated to the art of filmmaking, the Tallaght Young Filmmakers formed and received funding under the Arts Council’s Young Ensembles Scheme in 2008. They are currently funded and supported by the Arts Council and South Dublin County Council’s Arts Office and South Dublin County Libraries. The group currently has 12 members from various parts of Tallaght as well as Clondalkin. Collectively, the Tallaght Young Filmmakers have over two years experience in script-writing, camera work, directing and editing. They have completed one 10-minute film script; two short films, each over 5 minutes long; and three documentary/evaluation-based films focused on the process of collaborative filmmaking and youth-led work. They are currently working on documentary filmmaking with Olivia Fitzsimons.
Olivia Fitzimsons, lead filmmaker with Tallaght Young Filmmakers during the creation of ‘Tale of Genji’ stated: “It's fantastic for Tallaght Young Filmmakers to gain recognition for their creativity and hard work and dedication. I'm so happy that an ambitious young people's film was recognized by the judges and I know that this success means a lot to the group, and validates my contribution as lead filmmaker with the Tallaght Young Filmmakers on the project.”
Caption of photo: Tallaght Young Filmmaker, Jason Rogers accepts award from Fiona MacGinty, Co-Motion Film Festival Director and Co-Motion Chairperson, Manchán Magan.
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Midlands Youth Film Festival