Red Carpet Premiere for Northern Stars

Young filmmakers receive commemorative certificates from intu’s Director of Corporate Responsibility, Alexander Nicoll, and Councillor Neil Weatherley, Deputy Mayor of Gateshead. Last night Newcastle’s Tyneside Cinema rolled out the red carpet for the premiere of four short documentaries made by young filmmakers at the Northern Stars Docmentary Academy. The venture was made possible by the support of intu Eldon Square and intu Metrocentre who worked in unison on the project. The films were shown at a screening for family, friends, media and invited special guests and followed by a discussion with the filmmakers who talked about how they made the documentaries. Over the summer, seventeen young people (aged between 15-19 years) from across Newcastle and Gateshead took part in the Northern Stars Documentary Film Academy, a free programme of workshops which gave participants the chance to work with leading industry professionals to gain hands-on experience of all aspects of film production. The Northern Stars Documentary Film Academy took place from July – September in Pop-Up Film School, Tyneside Cinema’s spectacular filmmaking facility at intu Eldon Square, and provided the filmmakers with training in how to direct, produce and edit their own documentaries. The four completed films were devised by the young people themselves, and included the story of a teenager’s experience of depression, a young footballer with Cerebral Palsy, and a portrait of a free-spirited busker who performs in the North East, as well as a film about life in Newcastle’s Grainger Market. 18 year old Jordan Tindale, who took part in the filmmaking, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed writing and shooting the documentary. I feel I learned a lot about how the documentary industry works, and now understand the work that goes into planning and producing.” Alexander Nicoll, intu’s Director of Corporate Responsibility, added: “All our community initiatives are geared to offer support and opportunity to disadvantaged young people in the areas where our shopping centres operate. We value the partnerships we create with outstanding organisations like Tyneside Cinema and look forward to deepening our relationship with the Cinema and further helping to support their work with young people throughout the North East.” Mark Dobson, Tyneside Cinema’s Chief Executive commented: “The young filmmakers have worked incredibly hard to produce four original and exciting documentaries, and we are very proud to present the premiere of the completed films at Tyneside Cinema. This fantastic event would not have been possible without the Cinema’s flourishing partnership with intu, and we are very grateful for their generous support in helping us create both Pop-Up Film School and the Northern Stars Documentary Film Academy – two fantastic additions to the Cinema’s existing range of projects for young people to engage with film.” To view the films, go to www.northernstarsdocacademy.co.uk