Robert Burns Film Theatre celebrates young programmers’ contribution
Written by author on April 20, 2011
For the first time young people have taken a central role in the 5th Dumfries Film Festival. The 11 strong team of local 15-24 year olds formed the Young Programmers Forum (YPF) and took part in a six week course held in the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre where they learnt the skills of film analysis, booking and promotion. This will culminate in four special event screenings centred on the theme of youth.
First in line is urban comedy Anuvahood [5pm, 30 April 2011], followed by seminal Japanese animation Akira [8pm, 4 May 2011], gritty Mexican horror We Are What We Are [8pm, 6 May] and ending with a charming teenage comedy The Be All And End All [7.30pm, 7 May]. In a technological first for the RBCFT, the YPF team organised a special follow-up to the final screening – a live group Skype chat with director Bruce Webb.
Members of the YPF gave their opinions on the experience; “I joined the team because I felt the need to learn more about the film industry – and actually influence my local cinema.” Alex Bryant, 16, Dumfries. “I wanted to get audience into the cinema, especially a new audience, with new views and interests,” David Barker, 19, Carlisle, “In the end, the cinema is the best place to see films!” “I knew plenty about film theory but I wanted to see the other side – the exhibition and distribution,” Lauren Halliday, 18, Dumfries, “The course itself gave me a deeper understanding of the industry and the films I love.”
Darren Connor, Course Leader of the Young Programmers’ Forum said, “This is a great opportunity for those interested in film and filmmaking to see how distribution and exhibition works. The group went through every stage of the process – from watching screeners, selecting titles, negotiating rights and liaising with the press. They have all worked together to bring an excellent mix of films to the festival.”
The 5th Dumfries Film festival begins on the 29th of April and runs through to the 7th of May. YPF members will be attending the screenings of the films they programmed, talking about the chosen films and answering questions about the screenings as well as the team itself.
CONTACT DETAILS – http://www.rbcft.co.uk/filmfestival Phone – 01387 264808
