Students’ democracy film nominated for national award

Budding documentary makers from a Bridgend school are contenders for a gong at the ‘Into Film Awards’ in London next month.

Students from Ysgol Bryn Castell worked with Film Cymru to create a short film about democracy which has been nominated in the ‘Best Documentary’ category at the awards ceremony being held at the Odeon in Leicester Square on Monday 4 March.

With a musical centrepiece, the film sees a group of students detail the changes - both big and small - that they're vowing to make in their lives, before visiting Bridgend County Borough Council’s offices to speak to councillors and MPs about the changes they hope to make too.

Helen Ridout, Head Teacher of Ysgol Bryn Castell, said: “Pupils at Ysgol Bryn Castell make me proud every single day and I feel privileged to be part of their educational journey and to be able to watch them grow and develop over time.

“This film encapsulates what is possible when people believe in our amazing, inspirational young people and work together to enable them to enjoy success and achieve their very best; every pupil involved in creating this film has developed their confidence and skills around communication, collaborating with others and most importantly confidence in their own abilities!

Our school motto is ‘Together We Can Achieve’ and I feel like the proudest Head Teacher in the world when I reflect on what has been achieved through participation in this project.”

‘Into Film’ is an educational charity that aims to equip teachers with the skills, knowledge and resources to support learning through and about film. It encourages and helps schools to run film clubs, inspires teachers to use film in the classroom, producing curriculum-related resources and running industry-led events to raise aspirations and open doors into the sector.

As we’re in the midst of the global film awards season, it’s very exciting to see that pupils from Ysgol Bryn Castell will be showcasing their talents alongside other film-makers, reviewers and educators from across the UK. They are picking up some great new skills from working with film and we wish them all the best in the awards.”

Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, Councillor Huw David