³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

The BFI and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Blast are inviting the Danny Boyles, James Cordens, Emma Watsons and Noel Clarkes of the future to get creative at the Future Film Festival which launches at London's BFI Southbank on 13 February 2009.

Entirely free to film fans aged between 13 and 25, the festival gives budding directors, actors and writers – or simply young people who love watching films – the chance to learn about the cinema industry from a host of film, television and theatre professionals.

Whether they have a dream to work in the film industry, a passion for watching movies or a love of producing content for YouTube, the Future Film Festival gives young screen buffs the opportunity to be inspired by film in a three-day extravaganza of movie screenings, practical workshops and debates.

From quizzing Hollywood directors and sharpening film critic skills to recreating the blood and gore of TV make-up and filming a live band, attendees can immerse themselves in every aspect of the industry.

Hosted jointly by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Blast, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Learning strand that encourages young people to develop their creative talents, and the British Film Institute, this year's festival has been extended to three days following the huge success of 2008's one-day event.

Highlights over the long weekend include: an opportunity to showcase skills in a Bollywood spectacular led by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Asian Network's Love Bollywood presenters, Raj and Pablo; a special effects workshop to create an animation and get to grips with green screen; an improvisation session by the National Youth Theatre to be filmed in cutting edge, vibrant ways including by CCTV and headcams; and a chance to pick the brains of industry experts including film-maker Asif Kapadia, writer, actor and director Noel Clarke and Executive Producer of Eastenders Diederick Santer, in a series of lively Q&A panels.

And, on Friday night, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 1's film guru James King and singer and presenter Jenna G introduce the Future Film Awards, a celebration of winning films from the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Blast bursary competition – including last year's BAFTA-nominated bursary winner 20-year-old Josh Alward – and BFI and Mediabox awards recognising talented young film-makers.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Creative Director, Alan Yentob, says: "The Future Film Festival will be a celebration of filmmaking including some cutting-edge methods currently being explored by young film-makers.

"It's going to give young people a fantastic opportunity to get involved in something creative and possibly life-changing. Who knows, we may even be able to spot a couple of BAFTA winners of the future."

From pitching ideas, raising finance and story-boarding to costume design, composing and editing, the Future Film Festival gives young people a unique opportunity to showcase their talents, hone their crafts and be inspired by the film industry's finest.

For further information or to book a place, go to bbc.co.uk/blast.

Notes to Editors

Highlights of the three days are listed below.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Blast

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Blast is a powerful youth creativity project that inspires 13 to 19-year-olds to bring their creative ideas to life.

It brings together online, television and radio with a huge events presence to lead to a major increase in young people's creative ideas, confidence and skills across the UK.

In its first three years Blast has:

Reached two million page impressions a month.

Worked face to face with over 350,000 young people through events, workshops and projects.

Established a mentor and feedback programme for more than 100 ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ staff.

Developed a Blast youth panel of 200 vocal young people.

Drawn one-third of its participants from minority ethnic groups.

Worked with more than 400 different local and national partners, such as the Prince's Trust, the Arts Council, local authorities, schools, colleges and youth services.

Engaged with regional pools of industry expertise to lead creativity workshops with a strong local emphasis.

130 Blast Young Reporters and Creative Trainees have completed work placements in the last two years, over 50% of whom have gained subsequent work in the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ.

BFI

Booking information

The BFI Southbank is open to all. All workshops and screenings are free. BFI Southbank Box Office tel: 020 7928 3232.

Website www.bfi.org.uk/southbank.

There's more to discover about film and television through the BFI. Their world-renowned archival collections, cinemas, festivals, films, publications and learning resources are there to inspire you.

Bursary Winner Josh Alward

In December 2007, 19-year-old Josh Alward submitted his film Possession to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Blast Bursary Scheme. His film was broadcast on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two and during the programme he was announced as the winner of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Drama scheme. In disbelief he re-wound the recording and watched it again, then again. In January 2008 Possession was shown at the National Film Theatre.

He started his bursary in spring 2008 by writing for his next film, Shadow Observers, and soon after started his work with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Drama in script development and the whole production process. On set he now has a ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ assistant director and a director of photography. Josh's new film with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Drama, Shadow Observers, was broadcast in December on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two.

Festival highlights

Friday 13 February

Paul Wilmshurst Q&A: Pick the brains of Paul Wilmshurst, BAFTA and Emmy award-winning writer/director of dramadoc Hiroshima.

Special FX: How does Superman Fly? Try your hand at green screen and explore its uses in film.

Wanna be a costume designer? Get behind the curtains with a team from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Costume and see what it takes to clothe the cast.

Don't believe everything you see in the news. The Future Film Institute present a special screening – Who We Are – a collection of short films depicting the lives and ideas of young people today.

The Darker Side of Love: It's Friday 13th and the day before Valentine's Day. The Future Film Institute present a selection of haunting short films made by young people exploring the theme The Darker Side of Love.

Future Film Live Awards: James King and Jenna G present the films that won prizes in the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Blast Bursary Competition and the BFI and Media Trust present awards to talented young film-makers. Followed by a live set by DJ Excalibah.

Saturday 14 February

Acting for Film/Filming Techniques: Want to get in front of the camera? Work with the National Youth Theatre and a team of film-makers to create your own short film based on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. And learn how to shoot it in a number of different ways including by CCTV, headcams and stills camera.

Wanna Be A Film Critic? Learn how the pen can be mightier than the sword from an expert panel of film critics from Empire, The Times and Total Film.

Asif Kapadia Q&A: The renowned director of The Warrior and Far North takes your questions.

Made Up: Recreate the blood and gore of TV make-up with help from the professionals.

Write a Comedy Sketch: Funny bones? Work with award-winning comedy trio Trippplicate to create a comedy sketch show.

Vicki Psarias Q&A: Recent winner of the Channel 4 Talent Award for best film-maker takes the stand. See her multi award-winning film Broken and pose some questions.

Sunday 15 February

Welcome to Bollywood! Take part in a one-day extravaganza of singing, dancing and acting. Showcase your skills as you recreate scenes from a Bollywood classic with the Sapnay School of Dance.

Noel Clarke Q&A: Pit your wits against the award-winning writer/actor/director Noel Clarke of Kidulthood and Doctor Who.

Diederick Santer Q&A: The Executive Producer of Eastenders talks about the making of the much-loved soap.

Bollywood Q&A: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Asian Network's Love Bollywood presenters Raj and Pablo give the inside track on all things Bollywood.

Live Bollywood Performance: All-singing/all-dancing Bollywood spectacular with the Sapnay School of Dance.

BW2