A talented pair of Blackburn College students are through to the finals of the town’s first ever film festival for directing short films.
Ajay Taylor-Mullen and Dylan Nursimooloo have been shortlisted for prizes at the inaugural Blackburn Festival of Film.
The two 18-year-olds have been tipped as ‘British talent to watch’ by the festival organisers and judges Liam and Kyle Bashford, themselves college alumni.
Blackburn Festival of Film is taking place over the weekend of July 5 and 6, and is a collaboration between Blackburn College, Blackburn Film Academy and the National Festival of Making.
Ajay’s entry in the competition is a comedy short called ‘Recon’, which follows the misadventures of a young agent and his long-suffering boss.
Ajay, from Accrington, said: “I just wanted to make the best short film that I could, and I think Recon reflects that.
“It was hard work but a real joy to work on such a big project, and I am delighted with the results.
“I wasn’t expecting anything really when I entered Recon in the film festival, but to have been shortlisted is a real honour.”
Recon was filmed in Pleasington and, despite battling with the Lancashire weather, Ajay and his team were able to put together the comedy short in just two months - for only £200.
Liam said: “Recon is set almost entirely in a car, and filming in a car comes with so many problems and issues.
“It was really great to see Ajay and his production team manage to overcome all obstacles to make such a funny, well-polished short film.
“The clever dialogue really keeps the audience engaged.
“Another thing that stood out to us about Recon is the script – it’s funny and the dialogue seems so natural.
“Writing good dialogue and comedic timing is a tough skill to master, and Ajay seems well on his way.
“For someone who is only 18 to create such a film is testament to Ajay’s real talent, and we’re expecting great things from him in the future.”
He said: “The idea for Transform had been stuck with me for around a year.
“I worked on it and developed my vision, and wanted to put things in that you wouldn’t normally see in a music video.
“I took aspects of a short film and put them into the music video - there’s a plot, interaction between actors and a story being told from the start to the end.
“Having a story was so important to me, because it’s not something you often see in music videos.”
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The visuals and artful direction was praised by the festival judges.
Kyle said: “Dylan’s music video is really creative in the way it tells a story.
“He had a story he wanted to tell, and found the right track to serve as the conduit for that story.
“That takes a lot of talent, and the finished product is so well edited and polished.”
Other highlights include a screening of the Daniel Radcliffe film Escape from Pretoria, as well as a question and answer session with the makers behind the critically acclaimed movie.
Liam and Kyle will also be hosting a Northern Voices panel, where audience members are invited to ask the pair about their careers in filmmaking.
The twins, from Blackburn, began their careers directing short horror films shot in their hometown, before landing jobs at Pinewood Studios, the home of film production in Britain.
Kyle said: “We wanted to be involved in the Blackburn Festival of Film because we want to showcase talent in the town where we grew up.
“Lancashire is home to so many amazing, talented artists, directors, actors and producers, and events like these are ideal for encouraging more people to try their hand at film.”
Kyle added: “We are delighted to be involved in the Blackburn Festival of Film, and hope that it will become an annual event.
“There needs to be more done to celebrate film, and filmmakers, in the North West, and Blackburn College are really championing the town’s young talent.”
Blackburn College Curriculum Manager for Film, Television and Music, Richard McKenny, said: “We worked with Ajay and Dylan throughout the two years of their course.
“To see them develop those higher level of skills, the technical skills, the creative side, storytelling and developing so much has been wonderful.
The Blackburn Festival of Film is being held at Reel Cinema on July 5 and 6.
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