respectme is looking for entries from youngsters

A competition to find filmmakers of the future has been launched.

respectme, Scotland’s anti-bullying service, has teamed up with Scotland’s Junior Conservatoire of Film, part of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, to launch a new competition which invites 7-18 year-olds across Scotland to get creative and try their hand at filmmaking. With three entry categories, winning films will be announced and celebrated at a special online premiere event to mark Anti-Bullying Week 2021 (15-19 November).

Budding filmmakers are being invited to bring their voices and experiences to the big screen by thinking creatively about the little, or the big things that can help make life better for young people experiencing bullying. The competition is part of respectme’s latest campaign What Made It Better?, which explores approaches that have helped people respond to bullying behaviour.

Judges are searching for inspiring, thoughtful or challenging three minute films to help educate and motivate young people across Scotland to feel empowered to seek support, or encourage young people to be kinder to each other by challenging new and old perceptions of bullying.

The competition also provides entrants with the opportunity to learn about the filmmaking process through expert tip guides and ‘how to’ videos produced by The Junior Conservatoire of Scotland film lecturers. All resources are available at www.whatmadeitbetter.com.

 Katie Ferguson, director of respectme, said: “We are really excited to team up with the Junior Conservatoire of Film team to create this unique film competition which gives young people the chance to connect together, unlock their creativity and learn about the filmmaking process. The competition is going to give young people a national platform to tell their stories and share what they think are the solutions to address bullying, the things that can help ‘make it better’.

 “As well as celebrating our winners during Anti-Bullying Week to get the week of action underway, the three winning films will be showcased during our schools’ campaign roadshow which will get underway early next year, with the aim of taking these inspiring films out across the country and sparking new conversations about bullying in every corner of Scotland.”

Yvonne Kennedy, head of Junior Conservatoire DDPF (dance, drama, production and film) from Scotland’s Junior Conservatoire of Film, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with respectme in the delivery of this film competition by providing tools to help young people tell their stories and share their experiences with others. By using the guidance provided by the Junior Conservatoire, we hope that young people can tell their peers across Scotland ‘What Made It Better’ for them through the visual storytelling of film making. We look forward to watching your entries and supporting your start on your film making journey.”

The respectme ‘What Made It Better? Young Filmmaker Competition features three entry categories: Primary Age Group (P4-P7), Secondary Age Group (under 18), Secondary Age Individual (under 18). Each group category winner will be awarded a unique filmmaker masterclass experience delivered by Scotland’s Junior Conservatoire of Film and the Secondary age individual winner will win a place on the Junior Conservatoire of Film programme (term 2022/2023, winner will enter level 1).

 All film submissions will the reviewed by a panel of judges who will curate a shortlist of films. Deadline for all film entries is 12.30pm, 15 October. Every film entrant must be sponsored by a responsible adult. For more information visit respectme’s campaign mini-site.