“Zoom” short film competition deadline approaching

The British Council and Al-Aqeeq Television today issued the last call for aspiring Yemeni filmmakers to enter Zoom, before the short film competition closes on Wedneday 10 November.

Zoom is open to amateur and aspiring Yemeni filmmakers and creative people aged 18 years and above who have talent, determination, vision and passion to make original short films. The competition aims to discover and support local filmmaking talent in Yemen. Its themes also give Yemenis the opportunity to raise awareness and build understanding about their country. 

Winners of the competition will receive 10 days training in filmmaking skills in Cairo by professional filmmakers from the UK. The overall winner will see his/her work broadcast on Al Aqeeq Television and have the opportunity to attend a film festival in the UK in 2011. 

The filmmaking training course provides access to basic filmmaking equipment and will cover essential skills such as scriptwriting, cinematography, editing and directing. During and after the training participants will develop and submit their own 15-20 minutes film for the chance to become Zoom’s overall grand winner. 

Aspiring filmmakers are invited to submit original short film entries based on one of the competition’s four themes; climate change, the future, peace and stability, and Yemen.

The 5 minute films can be in any genre, including animations. Entries should be uploaded onto YouTube and the URL of the uploaded video sent together with a submission form tozoom@ye.britishcouncil.org before the end of 10 November 2010. Submission forms are available at www.britishcouncil.org/me-yemen-zoom-competition.htm

Films may be shot with any camera including a mobile phone camera, so long as the sight and sound are clear. Submitted entries will be judged by a panel of film professionals from both Yemen and the UK. They will look for evidence of originality, clarity, the ability to tell a story and filmmaking ability.

Judges include:
Khadija Al-Salami –Yemen’s first woman filmmaker. Khadija has made over 20 documentaries for TV stations in France and Yemen where the primary focus of her documentaries focus on women. She has received several awards at various film festivals. 
 
David Alamout – British filmmaker and lecturer. David divides his time between lecturing in film and television theory and practice, consulting on media education and development, and making films with the production company Contra Image. 
 
Sue Pugh – Studio Director in the UK. Sue has previously been involved in three film projects while she was based in Yemen between 2008-10. She has been involved in many award winning programmes and in 1999/2000 and was nominated for a British Academy of Film and Television Award (BAFTA) as Director of Rotten Ralph TV Series. 

Full details of the Zoom competition’s rules and regulations and information on how to submit films are available at the British Council’s website.

Rowaid Khulaidi, British Council Arts Project Manager in Yemen said, “Zoom is a fantastic opportunity for people in Yemen who are interested in developing their interest and skills in filmmaking. Yemen currently lacks training facilities in film. Zoom will give the winners a chance to learn from experts in this area and help to boost a local film industry here in the country.” 
 
“This competition is also a way for Yemenis to present aspects of their country, as they see it, to a wider international audience through the competition YouTube site and with the broadcast of the winning entry. We look forward to viewing the entries,” she concluded.

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