Screentest: National Student Film Festival returns to LSBU
Fast approaching its ninth annual festival, Screentest will be showcasing over 100 student-made short films from all over the UK at London South Bank University's (LSBU) brand new Student Centre over the weekend of the 22-24 March 2013Originally founded in Bristol in 2004, Screentest has now been in London for three years where it continues to enjoy increased exposure and access to an increasingly diverse audience.
The festival is supported by LSBU's Departments of Arts and Media, and Culture, Writing and Performance.
In addition to a programme filled with emerging UK film talent, Screentest also offers a host of talks, workshops and bespoke screenings for keen film audiences. These include BAFTA nominated short film 'The Voorman Problem', followed by a Q+A with the filmmakers, and workshops on film distribution and film financing for budding filmmakers.
On Saturday 23 March, the nominees will find out if they've made the final cut, with the evening devoted to 'The National Student Film Awards', celebrating the best of the festival.
Festival Director Chris Nunn, an MA student in Digital Film and Video at LSBU, was responsible for bringing the festival down from Bristol to London.
A former Screentest winner himself, Chris said: "We've had about 185 submissions which is another record-breaking year for us. It's important that during that developmental stage, while you study to hone your craft, that work gets recognition."
To further encourage younger filmmakers Screentest is hosting a special schools and colleges day on Friday 22 March, before the festival goes live, organised in conjunction with LSBU's Schools and Partnerships team.
This tailored event will inspire the local younger generation to see what can be achieved through higher education study, with a guest speech from prominent freelance film journalist Ashley Clarke, who writes for numerous publications including Sight and Sound and the Guardian.
The school and college pupils will also give their own reviews which will have a real world effect when Screentest offers a new 'Kids Choice' award as part of the Saturday ceremony.
Festival Director Chris Nunn said: "For the first time this year, Screentest is also very proud to be inspiring the next generation of student filmmakers with the special event for pupils from London schools and colleges before the festival begins."
Tickets costs just £15 for the three day weekend and awards ceremony or £5 per day.
To find out more about studying Digital Film and Video at LSBU visit the website for the School of Arts and Creative Industries.