Filmmakers in Merton are being asked to submit short features based on London life as part of a capital-wide competition.
By Benedict Munden
Filmmakers in Merton are being asked to submit short features based on London life as part of a capital-wide competition.
‘Film London in 90 Seconds’, which this year is themed ‘Capital Tales’, is looking to discover the grassroot talents who may be successful future directors.
Winners will first be announced for each participating borough, and then an overall winner will be selected by a film-industry panel.
The overall winner’s film will be screened at the Baftas and they will receive £500.
“I always thought I would need a top-of-the-range camera and expensive editing suite to make a video,” said last year’s victor Elisahama Udorok.
“Winning this award proved me wrong.”
To help aspiring contestants, London Film will provide a free workshop run by professional filmmakers in Merton next year.
Last year the successful Merton entry was based on tennis and was produced by first-time filmmakers who had recently graduated from drama school.
“Merton has an interesting heritage for filmmakers to draw from,” said Martin Whelton, Merton Council’s cabinet member for Community and Culture.
“There are also a variety of people, all with a story to tell”
This year’s competition was opened by Mayor of London Boris Johnson who said revenue generated from film is vital to London’s economy.
The Mayor added that only through nurturing creative talents will England uncover future Oscar winners like Danny Boyle.
The deadline for Merton entries is May 3 2011.
