Young filmmakers take in New York
Young Image Makers senior category winner Ocean Costa
(CNS): Two young filmmakers from Cayman spent a week at a New York Film Academy summer movie camp in August as part of their prize package from this year’s Young Image Makers (YIM) Short Film Competition. Ocean Costa and Samuel Harding, who won the senior and junior categories, respectively, for their original film submissions, attended the academy to hone their skills.
Ocean, the writer/director/actor of the sentimental short film, Loss, counted the opportunity as a major milestone. “My week in New York City was by far the most amazing week of my life. I felt like New York was waiting for me, and she gave a big hug the minute I landed.
“I met some amazing people, but meeting Mr. Rod Gailes (directing teacher), was the highlight. When he spoke, he made me cry because of how much passion he had. He proved to me that there are so many others who have deep passion like I do, and it has inspired me to work towards a career where I live my passion.”
Samuel had never made a short film before, but his can-do attitude and persistence in working on his piece earned him a win for the spooky Possessed.com.
Junior winner Samuel Harding
He offered advice to other potential young filmmakers. “I want to say to other kids, take a chance and go for it. If you’re not confident in your work, try again and again but enjoy what you are doing, have fun, ask your teachers and your parents for ideas, but mainly to try it out – it’s fun. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s silly and give up.”
The Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF) created YIM in early 2010, with support from the Cayman Islands Film Commission, to encourage creativity and allow youth to share their passions and perspectives on life.
Since its inception, more than 250 student storytellers have submitted original pieces to the competition covering a wide variety of topics. From dramas to comedies, horror and more, YIM provides an avenue for budding writer/directors to explore and develop their ideas with guidance from local and international professionals.
For young people interested in learning more about the craft, the “Introduction to Filmmaking” workshops will return for a second year, taking place on Saturdays in October. The free workshops, which teach the basics of using moving images to tell stories, are open to those aged 10-17, and will be held at Mind’s Eye (Miss Lassie’s) in South Sound.
The Young Image Makers Short Film Competition opens in January 2016, and organisers suggest that filmmakers attend the workshops before entering.
For more information, call the CNCF at 949-5477 or email Cayfest
