Pupils from some of the island’s junior schools stood out at a recent national film competition, held by an anti-smoking charity.
Pupils from Onchan School were among the regional winners and took the judges’ choice award for their film ’Death and Chemicals’.
The entries from Anagh Coar Primary, ’Don’t Waste Your Cash on That Trash’, and Arbory School’s ’The Smoking Cauldren’, were both selected for the national finals, eventually scoring a one-two in the National Awards, when Anagh Coar Primary took first place in the Under 11s category, with Arbory School narrow runners-up.
The three school entries were selected after eight of the island’s schools entered the local regional competition, funded by the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer association.
Cut Films is a youth-led smoking prevention project and plays a key role in the work of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. It supports young people to make short films to inform their friends and families about the dangers of smoking.
Paula Chadwick, chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, was clearly impressed by the Manx filmmakers.
’When you see the films you realise just how much imagination and inspiration these young people have,’ she said.
’The response from the island has been exceptional.
’Our congratulations to everyone who took part in any way, whether it was writing scripts, making props or costumes, filming or editing. You’re all stars in our eyes.
’The entries we’ve seen this year have been simply amazing. It was such a thrill to see the cinema packed to the rafters with young people, their friends and their families.
’It proves the real value of this Cut Films competition as a way of engaging with young people and helping them to make good life-style choices.’
The award-winning films cane be seen on the Cut Films competition website, competition.cutfilms.org