Faith Shorts 2011 gives young people between the ages of 14 and 18 from around the world the opportunity to express what their faith means to them in their own words and take this to the global stage by winning the chance to see their film premiered at a ceremony at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).
The films will be judged by a high profile panel including Tony Blair, Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Jet Li, Bollywood star Anil Kapoor, Oscar winning producer Nik Powell and Lord Puttnam, former FOX studio President Sherry Lansing, Deepak Verma of Pukkanasha films, religious leaders including Rabbi David Rosen and the Grand Mufti of Bosnia and many more.
Faith Shorts 2011, an initiative from the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, is looking for films from young people about how their faith or beliefs inspire them. The competition is designed to be as accessible as possible and if young people don’t have access to filmmaking equipment they can win a portable video camera at www.faithshorts.org.uk.
The winners of Faith Shorts 2011 will win an all-expenses paid trip to London with their parent or guardian to accept their awards at BAFTA. The winners will be taken on a personal tour of the National Film and Television School by the school’s director, Oscar-winning producer and Faith Shorts judge, Nik Powell and attend a film workshop in Manchester. The overall winner will have the opportunity to make and edit a film with a professional crew.
Entries for last year’s competition came from five continents and from Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Humanist backgrounds. The winners ranged from a young girl in Jordan finding forgiveness after terrorist attacks in her country to an American inspired by the solace and resolve faith offered his mother and best friend in difficult times.
The competition is open until 1 July.
