Crumlin youth blasts into the future

Crumlin youth fast forward to the future!

Youth in the County Antrim village of Crumlin are about to embark on a fascinating creative journey involving local knowledge, teamwork, community empowerment, a magical Clock Tower and time travel!

Inspired by the 19^th Century Clock Tower that still dominates the village’s Main Street, members of the Crumlin Youth Club will be creating their own vivid, humorous animated and live action short film ‘Fast Forward’ telling the tale of an enchanted Clock Tower that permits a chosen few the chance to time travel to the future seeing their ideal village visions unfold before their very eyes!

Through a series of workshops at the Youth Club from September to November, participants aged 11-16 years will experience all aspects of filmmaking, from claymation skills, scriptwriting, character development to filming techniques whilst also being encouraged to challenge their local village life and question how they can, as young people, instigate positive change for their communities in the future.

The five minute short film created by the young people will be premiered at a special community screening at the Youth Club in early November followed by a showcase screening during the forthcoming ‘Cinemagic International Film Festival’ in Belfast from 17 November to 3 December when the young filmmakers will watch it on the big screen alongside award-winning international cinematic gems.

Local professional animator Mike Bass will be tutoring participants assisted by Laura Carlisle, Project and Events Co-ordinator at Cinemagic Ltd. Fast Forward is funded by First Light Movies Ltd and supported by NIFTC (Northern Ireland Film & Television Commission).

Antrim Borough Council is one of seventeen groups awarded from throughout the UK. Community Arts Officer Desima Connolly says

‘We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing this filmmaking opportunity for the young members of the Crumlin Youth Club and intend this to be the first of many more film and media projects for children and youth across the borough as part of our ‘Fast Forward’ Initiative. Films are a wonderful medium to which all young people can relate and the project will forge community relations as well as social and creative skills development’.

First Light’s Chief Executive, Pip Eldridge comments ‘these imaginative and creative ideas from Northern Ireland are sure to become a fabulous film’

and John Woodward, UK film Council’s Chief Executive further adds

‘We are extremely proud to be able to fund these amazing ideas and to continue to nurture the talent of Britain’s future filmmakers’.

For further information contact Desima Connolly, Community Arts Outreach Officer, Clotworthy Arts Centre on 028 9448 1338

Email: clotworthyarts@antrim.gov.uk