Media centre

Wednesday 21 Sep 2011

TEEN FILMMAKERS SCOOP RAIL PRIZE AT OXFORD AND CHERWELL VALLEY COLLEGE

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Aspiring filmmakers, from Oxford and Cherwell Valley College had their work recognised at a special awards ceremony held at the college last night celebrating a new partnership with the rail industry.

The budding directors were on a unique course funded by Network Rail and First Great Western which encouraged the college’s film students to create short films depicting rail travel in their local area. The college and its students will also benefit from a bursary fund to help support the film department and kit it out with new equipment.

Autumn Edwards Hayter and Roshni Sabberwal scooped the top prize for their creative short film.

In second place were Jessica Oliviera, Matthew Wheeler and Richard D’Costa for their inspirational work.

Jamie Underwood and Phil Koch won third place for their interpretations of what rail travel means to their local area.

The students worked in groups, each producing a film no longer than three minutes. Judged by a panel of representatives from Network Rail and First Great Western, the imaginative short films were in ranked first, second and third places. The winners were awarded their prize by Mike Gallop, Network Rail programme sponsor and Paul Briggs from the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Winners Autumn and Roshni said: “We cannot believe that we have come first, all of the films were really different and they were all very impressive. The awards ceremony was amazing, I almost felt famous walking to the stage to receive my prize. Thank you Network Rail and First Great Western!”

Damien Homer, the Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production teacher at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College said: “The students have been great and have handled this task really well. Network Rail and First Great Western have really helped out the media department with their generous bursary and we are all very grateful.”

Network Rail’s Mike Gallop commented: “We feel that the winning film really captured the essence of what rail travel means to the Oxford area. Autumn and Roshni put a lot of thought into the filming process and came up with a great piece that is imaginative, creative and informative. We were so pleased to be able to work with the students on the Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production course. They have all done a great job.”

If you would like to view the films that were created by the Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production students then please visit www.networkrail.co.uk/thegreatwestern.