Film Festival turns focus to pupils' work

BUDDING filmmakers from schools across the city will have their work shown on the big screen at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Pupils entered a special competition organised by the Festival and Pilton Video inviting them to submit dramas, documentaries or animations to find the filmmaking stars of the future.

More than 140 films were submitted by 38 city schools, which included primary, secondary, special schools and a nursery.

A special youth jury selected the final 40 film, s which will be shown at separate screenings during the festival.

The filmmakers of the 40 best films will attend two screenings, tomorrow and Friday, to find out who has won the top prizes.

Joel Venet, co-ordinator at Pilton Video, said: "The screenings will give the students' films centre place in the Film Festival, and their hard work, imagination and filmmaking skills are now properly celebrated before their teachers, families and friends."

City education leader Marilyne MacLaren added: "This was a fantastic project for the young people to stretch their creative skills, come up with new ideas and use their imaginations to the full.

All premieres will take place at Cineworld, Fountain Park.