On Wednesday 3rd July, our Media and Film Department held their seventh annual Film Festival to celebrate the achievements of talented film and media students. A wide range of videos from short films to music videos to documentaries were screened to a packed and appreciative auditorium of students and parents. As well as showcasing the work of future media stars, a posse of Star Wars characters were in attendance, ‘trooping’ to raise money for Derian House, adding a definite Hollywood ambience to the event.

A total of 15 pupils won awards for their film, production and publishing efforts which included a female-fronted hip hop video and a David Lynch-style horror film opening sequence.

Winners included Alice Baldwin, 18, from Burnley who won best music video and best overall project for her work on women in hip-hop, while Joe McAlary, from Brownhill, and Geoffrey Kirby, from Lammack, won a joint award for best film sequence.

Phoebe Wigglesworth, 17, from Burnley, won best magazine for her fashion-themed publication, ‘Frow’.

Abi Walker, 18, from Great Harwood, won best overall contribution and effort.

Abi, who also presented the ceremony alongside fellow students Sam Yates, Joe Morton-Birtwell and Sophie Bellusci, plans to study on a BBC-backed film production course at Edge Hill University.

Abi said: “I didn’t expect my award at all so was thrilled to bits and am really thankful to all the inspirational staff and friends that I’ve met here.”

Helen Abell, the head of media and film studies said: “We didn’t think that the standard of work could get any higher but I’m glad to say that pupils just seem to be improving year on year.”

Click here to watch our video from the evening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmUTW8YGDwo&feature=c4-overview&list=UUZAea7I6ZqbiolDi67HfhgQ