A young person from Richmond won the 20 – 25 Age Category Award at National Cut Films Award 2017 for his film, ‘See Behind the Curtains’. The awards took place at the Curzon Soho on Friday 7 July. The 20 – 25 Age Category Award was presented by Eastenders writer, Tony Jordan.

Four students from Chase Bridge Primary School won the Under 11 Age Category for their film ‘Smoke Stoppers’. Another group of students from Chase Bridge Primary School and a group of students from Darell Primary School were finalists in the Under 11 Age category. The Under 11 Age Category awards were presented by Sky TV’s, Jacqueline Shepherd. 

A group from Powerstation was a finalist in the 12 – 15 Age Category for their film ‘Stand Up’. The award was presented by actor, Kieron Bimpson. 

4music presenter Jimmy Hill hosted the award ceremony at the Curzon Soho.  

Presenters included:
Oliver Parker – BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated director of The Importance of Being Earnest, Dorian Grey and Johnny English Reborn.
Tony Jordan – Writer and producer of Eastenders, Hustle and Life on Mars.
Sheridan de Myers – writer, director, producer who has just released his debut feature film The Weekend.
Prano Bailey Bond – director who has worked with Film4, Film London and Sony Music.
Jacqueline Shepherd – Sky1 Presenter of What’s Up TV
Kieron Bimpson – actor who has worked with Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman

The competition run by Cut Films (the education and prevention arm of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation) asks young people across the UK to research smoking and tobacco. They then make a two-minute advert to persuade their friends not to smoke, upload it to the Cut Films competition website and share it on their social media.  It is their take on the issues associated with smoking. 

Films made for the competition include issues like lung cancer, peer pressure, death, health impacts, child labour, shisha and tobacco marketing. 

Luke Hamza’s film ‘See Behind the Curtains’ won the 20 – 25 Age Category winner in the National Cut Films competition after an impressive 162 films were submitted from schools, youth projects and individuals from across the UK. The film is an animation about tobacco companies featuring shocking real conversations from tobacco executives’ meetings.  

Luke Hamza (aged 21) said: "It’s the first time I’ve won an award so it was a bit overwhelming but I’m so happy and want to do more in the future"

Jimmy Hill, 4music presenter and Cut Films Awards host said “I was genuinely blown away by the quality of the films and the passion. It’s exciting to see so many young people really engaged with such an important cause. It’s a pleasure to be involved”

In total five groups from Richmond at the National Cut Films Awards 2017:
Luke Hamza
20 – 25 Age Category – Winner

Chase Bridge Primary School
Under 11 Age Category – Winner
Under 11 Age Category – Finalist

Darell Primary School
Under 11 Age Category – Finalist

Powerstation
12 – 15 Age Category - Finalist
 

Article supplied by Gemma Allright