College celebrates achievements of Film and Media students
Posted on Tuesday 29 June 2010
British Filmmaker, Stuart Hazeldine "inspired" by student work
Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College got a taste of Oscar-style glory last week when the Prospect Theatre played host to the Annual College Media and Film Awards.
The ceremony provided an opportunity to celebrate the fantastic achievements of Media and Film Students. The work this year was the most emotionally engaging yet. The audience was rapt from the start as they viewed the shortlisted and winning pieces. With documentaries that had the audience in tears through to animation that had them laughing uncontrollably, the students’ work impressed by its high quality.
In true Oscar fashion, the event was attended by industry professionals, including British screenwriter and filmmaker Stuart Hazeldine (“The Day the Earth Stood Still”, “Knowing” and recent Bafta nominated film “Exam”) and Helena Drakakis, Assistant Editor of The Big Issue.
Following a journey from London, Mr Hazeldine presented the award for Best Short Film. He said, “These films represent truly inspirational work – I only wish I had had the same opportunities to produce such creative work as these students at Farnborough Sixth Form College when I was starting out in my career.”
Ms Drakakis presented the Big Issue Award for print for the second year running and was extremely impressed by the development of the students. She said, “We are consistently impressed with the standard of work coming from Farnborough. The students have built on last year’s feedback to present an excellent range of work that shows great promise.”
In recognition of the outstanding level of work there were two special awards for excellence in Film and Animation. Sam Dyche won Excellence in Film and is shortly setting off to Florida to record his debut album with his band, whilst Molly Nye who won Excellence in Animation before going on to study for an Art Foundation at University of the Arts Central St. Martins.
With over 800 students, the Media department at the College is the largest centre for Media and Film A levels in the country and has been recognised by The Good Schools Guide for its outstanding results.
Aidan Hamilton, Head of Film and Media at the College said: “Year on year I wonder how our students can surpass the high levels achieved by previous talented young people at the College but the work on show tonight was simply breathtaking in its technical skill, ambition and ability to engage an audience. I am incredibly proud of them, as well as the fantastic team of teachers and technical support staff that I have the honour to lead and who enable it to happen”.
Following on from the success of the Media and Film awards on Wednesday 16th two of the College winners went on to receive prestigious prizes at Southampton Solent University, where a Hampshire wide film competition for sixth formers ‘Show Us Your Shorts’ was held on Thursday 17th June.
Molly Nye (A2 Media Studies) and Sam Dyche (A2 Film) did exceptionally well collecting three out of a possible four awards. Following on from their success at the Farnborough Media and Film Awards they collected first place, third place and the coveted People’s Choice Award at Solent, one short of a clean sweep.
The panel of judges, including industry professionals and academics, described Molly’s winning animation Rain Cloud as “poignant”, “sophisticated” and “technically accomplished.” Sam Dyche’s experimental Film #1 was praised for being truly “truly experimental”, “creative” and “unique”.
All in all this was a great week for the Media and Film Department at Farnborough Sixth Form College.
