The 8th Annual BFI/WJEC Moving Image Awards were held in London, 4th March. The competition recognises inspiring levels of student achievement within the production of Film and Media. The awards ceremony celebrates the best work created by Film and Media Studies students aged 14-19 at schools and colleges from around the UK.
Nia Greenwood, an A2 Media student took the opportunity to enter last summer and was shortlisted in December to last 3 out of over 700 entries, for an award under the category Best Film/TV Extract.
A number of students and teachers were invited and took the trip to London to support Nia, in the hope that the award would come to Wales!
Students had the opportunity to listen to speakers from the creative industries who were experts in their fields, including film critics, script editors and documentary makers, discussing their roles and the skills needed. Nominees for each award were then announced and their work shown to the audience. With great anticipation we waited to see who won Best Film/TV Extract to hear Nia’s name called out, followed by huge cheers from her fellow students and teachers.
Nia created a Claymation production of an opening horror sequence, that the judges said showed much creativity and excellent use of sound to further suspense and tension.
Judges’ comments: “A fantastic piece of work. Every moment counts in this stop-motion animation that demonstrates meticulous attention to detail. Perfectly timed to communicate clearly, with totally synchronous visuals and sound – the use of sound is excellent. The expressiveness of the animated characters is impressive. Confidently applies conventions of animation, informed by other work (e.g., Ardman), but the piece is original and striking. The cup dropping is perfectly timed, reflecting a confident ability to juxtapose horror tropes with genuinely humorous moments. The audience were left eager to discover what happens next!”
Well done Nia for bringing the award back to St David’s – this is the third time that a St. David’s student has been shortlisted, and the second time we have won.
In addition, WJEC sent a message us to say that St. David’s had been recognised as a highly commended centre due to the quality of entries from our students.
