This year the project is taking place in Tywyn and the fifteen young people who have been selected will be spending the next six months taking part in workshops and master classes, studying film literacy, learning about different production techniques and how to use broadcast filming equipment while also getting support to develop their own unique scripts for production in the summer holidays.

This year the project has been substantially funded by THE PETER SAUNDERS TRUST as a way of bringing special activities to the Tywyn area. Ten young people from Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn are involved in this years project and we look forward to the premiere of the finished films on October the 24th as part of the Pink Snowball Film Awards. Extra funding has been provided by The Film Agency for Wales to enhance Film Literacy through the project.

CHUCKS is Katy’s first short film and was produced under the FILM 15 project 2008. The unique story is set in the 1950’s in a rather dim diner/Deli. Things go from bad to worse for the owner [Chuck] when a group of menacing local youths decide to make the Diner their local hang out. What starts out as a bit of harmless taunting soon turns in to something far more sinister.

The film was made on location at the old Machynlleth Milk Bar over three days last summer and Katy drew from local acting talent Tom Jones [Borth], Scott Wilson [Barmouth], Cara Braia [Portmadog], James Lucas [Machynlleth] and fellow FILM 15 project participants for various roles in the production. 

FILM 15 Productions runs their FILM 15 project annually to help young people find their creative voice through the medium of film. The Award winning programme offers fifteen young people from Mid Wales the opportunity to study filmmaking with the organisation over six months. The participants undertake workshops, Master classes with industry professionals, technical training and are supported in the development and production of their own film ideas. The programme has been running since 2006 and has worked closely with 45 young people to make 24 short films. 

“The FILM 15 project is an amazing way to discover local talent. The project gives young people a unique opportunity to develop key filmmaking skills and really find their creative voices and talents. I am delighted Katy has been given this award for her film Chucks. The film is visually and technically outstanding.  CHUCKS shows that Katy has a wonderful natural talent for film and I am certain she is a rising star of the future. “ [Emma Macey, Director, FILM 15 Productions]

This years’ FILM 15 project was kindly funded by First Light Movies, a nation wide organisation that provides funding to enable five-nineteen year olds to make their own films. First Light Movies distributes National lottery money via the UK Film Council. Match funding for the project was granted by The Film Agency for Wales. The project workshops were based at Ysgol Bro Ddyfi on the weekend with special thanks to Nic Ros. 

For more information about CHUCKS or for applications for FILM 15 2009, please contact Emma Macey on  HYPERLINK “mailto:info@film15.org.uk” info@film15.org.uk or see more about what FILM 15 Productions have on offer at  HYPERLINK “http://www.film15.org.uk” www.film15.org.uk

On 25 October 2008 The Tabernacle Arts Centre in Machynlleth hosted our annual Pink Snowball Film Awards where the work of young, budding and amateur film makers was showcased to a full house.

The event is an extravagant night of red carpet, limo’s, short films and “Hollywood” style glamour. Projects are run annually by FILM 15 Productions to enable access to opportunities to make films and over 100 young people from the area have been involved in these films productions over the past twelve months.

A panel of special judges selected winners in several categories for a Pink Snowball Award. This years Judges include: Bollywood super star Mayur Raj Verma, Script writer Barry Simner, remote celebrity judge Julian Rhind-Tutt and our resident judge Lembit Opik, MP

We were very proud to show a selection of films from our FILM 15 project as well as premiere our Bollywood inspired short film Dream Girl.

The Pink Snowball Film Awards has been a hunting ground for local talent over the years and many of the young filmmakers have taken their films on to national and international film festivals and won many more awards. Through this event we aim to encourage people to try something different and explore their creativity through the medium of film.

This years winners are

Pink Open- Paul Bullen- Anne’s Wedding
Pink Open- Runners Up- Giles Thaxton- Ember Music Video
Pink- Highly Reccommended- Machynlleth Primary School- How to Change the World for a Fiver
Pink Film 15- Katy Ruffy- Chucks

FILM 15 is delighted to be a co organiser of the The Pink Snowball Film Awards with Machfringe and believe it is an integral part of developing and encouraging a local industry of new filmmakers.

The aim of our collective initiatives is to inspire and promote film making and film literacy in the region across all age groups and give voice to young people’s creative ideas living in rural communities in Wales.

The Pink Snowball Awards and associated projects and events are funded and supported by The Film Agency For Wales, Dulus, FILM 15, The Welsh Boardcasting Trust, The Peter Saunders Trust, Mach Fringe, BFI, First Light Movies, The Welsh Language Board, PICTIWRS, The British Council, Wales Arts International, Culture Colony, Madman Movies, Western Australian Film Institute, VMI, Tinopolis, Aberystwyth University, Ysgol Bro Ddyfi, Tywyn High School, Machynlleth Primary School, Corris Fflics, Llwyngwril Gallery and many more individuals who keep the spirit of film making alive in Mid Wales. ”

The project will offer young people from Mid Wales an opportunity to get valuable industry experience and to work with a range of skilled industry professionals to produce the film. Filming will take place in three locations across Mid Wales with a significant part of the production being done at Aberystwyth University in their specially designed film studios. The young people will learn about Bollywood acting/Dancing under the expert guidance of Mayur Raj Verma and Sneh Lata Verma and professional choreographer Hema Houssin. FILM 15 Productions will be taking 20 young people on to the film production team where they will learn how to operate professional equipment and gain an insight into the film industry first hand. Throughout the production there will be a range of celebrity guests calling in to do cameo roles, so don’t be surprised if a familiar face turns up in your local.

The project has been developed by FILM 15 Productions in collaboration with Mayur Raj Verma [A famous Bollywood actor] and Sneh Lata Verma [A veteran Bollywood writer/Director] and is set to bring a taste of Bollywood to rural Wales.

Bollywood High is kindly funded by The Peter Saunders Trust, The Welsh Broadcasting Trust and The Film Agency For Wales with thanks to Aberystwyth University, VMI, Channel 405, PVP television Systems for their contribution of equipment and studios.

Emma Macey-Storch [Director of FILM 15 Productions] says “I am so pleased we have been able to get this initiative off the ground and offer such a wonderful opportunity to so many young people living in Mid Wales. Having Mayur and Sneh living on our doorstep has presented us with an unmissable opportunity to engage with one of the biggest film industry’s in the world while at the same time being able to offer young people in the area skill development and links to the film industry. I am a huge fan of Bollywood [and Mayur and Sneh] and believe this will be a fun and engaging experience for everyone. ”

Dan Thomas, Audience Development Manager of the Film Agency for Wales says: “Innovative, ambitious, and culturally significant, this is a project which is very important to the local areas of Mid Wales. It will provide Young people from different backgrounds with an amazing opportunity to get involved in a Bollywood production, and give them a chance to learn about the conventions, language and traditions of the genre. That’s why we were so keen to ensure that the Film Agency for Wales could offer support.”

FILM 15 Productions Ltd specialises in the research, development, delivery and exhibition of film related activities for young people in Mid Wales. We work with local venues, schools and communities to develop filmmaking activities, so as to give young people in the area a creative voice and help them develop real skills that can enhance their mainstream education, improve their profile in their communities or help them make career links with the film industry. Please see www.film15.org.uk