Posted on Monday 8th March 2021
Left to Right: Andrea Sammons, Richard Swancott, Ray Johnson and Charlotte Bowers
Organisers of the sixth annual Staffordshire Day have launched a county-wide film competition as part of this year’s celebrations.
Film-makers from Staffordshire and beyond are being encouraged, by Enjoy Staffordshire, Staffordshire County Council and the county’s other local authorities, to enter the Staffordshire Day Film Competition.
Any movie which promotes the county can be submitted, as long as it was made within the last five years, and is not longer than 30 minutes.
New projects can be submitted too, but makers must adhere to all Covid safety guidelines on mask-wearing, social distancing and remaining within their local area to film.
There are six categories: Drama/Comedy, Documentary, Animation/Experimental, Business in the Community, Mini-Movie, and Young Film-Maker.
All entries will be judged by festival director Philip Kempson, the Staffordshire Film Archive’s Ray Johnson MBE, and film-maker Darren Teale MBE, with the winners announced at an online ceremony on Staffordshire Day, Saturday 1st May.
The overall winner will win a cheque for £500 from the competition sponsors, Staffordshire Film Archive.
Philip White, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member responsible for tourism at Staffordshire County Council said:
“We all know what a wonderful county Staffordshire is and 1st May is the day we tell everyone.
“Over the last five years, Staffordshire Day has allowed us to celebrate everything that’s great about our county, from our rich heritage and culture to our stunning locations and places to visit.
“We’re all really excited about this year’s event, and in particular, our first ever Staffordshire Day Film Competition.
“There’s huge talent and creativity in our county, and this will give film makers of all levels the chance to get involved and tell their Staffordshire story.
“So whether you’re an established film maker, a first timer, student, community group or even a business we want to see your films.
“All the details are on the website so please get your films submitted and help us celebrate our great county.”
Ray Johnson MBE said:
“Staffordshire is a great county. Its reputation as a hub of creativity needs celebrating.
“For filmmakers it has every kind of townscape, village and countryside needed to make modern or period movies and videos.
“So what better way to celebrate “Staffordshire Day” than a festival of films making the most of our great film locations or featuring aspects of the County and its culture, customs and history?”
The competition is open to professional and amateur film-makers, and the deadline for submissions is Saturday 3rd April 2021. Full details, including terms and conditions, are available at https://filmfreeway.com/STAFFORDSHIREDAYFILMFESTIVAL
It is part of a huge online Staffordshire Day programme, which will also include an artisan market, and a packed line-up of demonstrations, workshops, talks, and arts & crafts activities on the Enjoy Staffordshire Facebook page.
Further information can be found at www.enjoystaffordshire.com/staffsday