Big Screen

First Light films

The BBC Big Screen, by the Town Hall in Chamberlain Square, operates throughout the day with a continuous feed of local news, weather and traffic updates from BBCi.

The high-tech screen relays a mixture of live BBC television programmes, local events such as the Lord Mayor's Show and Birmingham ArtsFest, alongside big international events.

The screen also carries the work of the best talent in Birmingham, including young film makers, video artists and community groups.

First Light

Every Street Dreams

Throughout April Big Screen Birmingham is showcasing a selection of the nominated films from the First Light Movie Awards.

First Light funds and inspires young people throughout the UK, to produce films that reflect the diversity of their lives.

Since starting in May 2001, First Light Movies has helped more than 10,000 children create over 750 short digital films.

Music nights

The Big Screen also sees the return of the Friday and Saturday music nights; showcasing some of the best local musical talent.

(Full details/schedule can be found next to the Big Screen).

Showing on the Big Screen: Awards 2007, Nominated Films

Best Comedy

Walk This Way by Glassball Art Projects, Buxton
This fly-on-the-wall spoof wildlife documentary, made by a group of ten 12 to 18-year-olds.

Luv Texty by Valley Community Theatre, Liverpool
When an old fashioned crush meets modern technology the result is Luv Texty. Made by a group of 15 to 18-year-olds.

Spying by Access Moving Image, Leeds
This spoof detective documentary follows the slightly geeky, but very likable, Bond wannabe called Stan. Made by a group of 20 people aged between 16 and 18.

Best Screenplay

Buried by Cambridge Film Consortium, Cambridge
Thriller created by six young people aged 15 and 16.

23 Pieces by PVA Media Lab, Bridport
Thirty 14 to 16-year-olds created this scientific drama.

Street Rat by Commbeshead College, Newton Abbot.
Alive action drama featuring animated sequences made by 15 people aged between six and 18.

Best Drama

Lil Red

Director’s Cut by Northern Lights Film Festival, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
A surreal take on a film premiere where the director and producer try to capture the perfect scene. Made by just two young people aged 16 and 18.

Best Horror

Lil’ Red by The National Deaf Children’s Society, Belfast
Lil’ Red is a group of eight 13 to 18-year-olds contemporary version of the classic fairytale, Little Red Riding Hood.

Best Animation

Every Street Dreams by Cornerhouse, Manchester
A quirky film, produced by a group of 12 people aged between 14 and 18.

Matrimonoids by Signal Media Arts, Colchester
A fresh animation by a group of 7 to 13 year olds.

Which Witch? By Rawmarsh City Learning Centre, Rotherham
A group of 20 eight to ten-year-olds produced this charming and fun claymation film.

Best Documentary

Darkness Visible by Living Archive, Milton Keynes
Addressing key issues about stereotyping and mental health, this sensitive documentary is made by five 15 to 17-year-olds.

Two Men and their Ponies by Flycatcher Films, Abergavenny
Made by a group of eight 16 to 18-year-olds, this explores the ancient bond between man and pony.

Personal Demons by Rawmarsh City Learning Centre, Rotherham
A group of 12 to 18 year olds talk about their disabilities as their personal demons.

Best Film by 12s and Under - supported by Film Street

Bubbletown by Media Projects East, Norwich
Bubbletown was made by 12 seven-year-olds from Dowson First School.

The Princess and the Pendant by Hartside Primary School, Crook
A group of 21 five-year-olds from Hartside Primary School, in County Durham produced the animated fairytale The Princess and the Pendant.

The Book by Calling the Shots, Bristol
Created by a group of 10 and 11-year-olds. It’s set in the library where a group of children learn about a ghostly monk that haunts the galleries.

Best Film by 13s and Over

Mothering Nature by Station House Media Unit, Aberdeen
A controversial and thought- provoking film from a group of 14 to 18 year olds.

Kids Today by The Cedar Centre, Brighton
This hard-hitting drama made by 18 people aged 14 and 15. It follows a boy who’s being ignored by his parents and is bullied at school.

Before I Could Remember by St Basils Shaftesbury House, Birmingham
An amalgamation of abstract images from the young filmmakers’ memories. The film was made by a group of ten 16 to 18-years-old residents at Shaftesbury House, a residential house for young women.

Special Projects Award: Filmmaking Partners

The Book

In addition to the main eight Awards categories, each year First Light Movies creates a Special Projects Award category that includes films made by young people outside of First Light Movies core funding schemes. For 2007 the focus is Filmmaking Partners.

First Light Movies selected one production organisation from each region and nation to become Filmmaking Partners to work with a budget of £50,000 over two years (2005-2006) and develop longer term projects with young people. These organisations partnered with a commercial production company in their region and were also supported by their regional or national screen agency.

A Walk in the Park by Suited & Booted, Bath
An hilarious thriller about a bored park warden who dreams of buying a caravan. This film was made by a group of nine young people aged 10 to 18.

Look Don’t Leap by Threshold Studios
A short drama that was made by eight 16 to 18 year olds.

Future films and events

The Big Screen features different films each month, as well as being the host to many different events.

Keep a check on the BBC Big Screen main page for the latest information.