Press Release

Projecting Stoke —Films from the Frontline

Watch out Cannes, here comes Stoke! A night of charming and inspirational films, providing a fascinating insight into the lives of a local community is being organised for Wednesday 29th March 2006 at Stafford University Film Theatre.  The films have been scripted, filmed and edited by local residents from the Meir area of Stoke and will allow audiences to experience life in a small community. The premiere is open to anyone, reserve your place by phoning Emma on 0121 693 0242 or email emma@hi8us.co.uk.

The films produced include; the importance of local football matches, young people speaking out and emotive art created after a visit by victims of the Chernobyl disaster.  The wannabe filmmakers consist of people from the Caverswall Theatre Group, Longton and Sandon High Schools, Crestfield Residents Association and the local Tots’n’Teens and Boys Brigade groups.

The groups have learnt camera techniques, how to storyboard their ideas as well as film and edit their own work, assisted by two established local filmmakers. Darren Teale of company Junction 15, and Chris Stone who grew up in and is still a resident Meir “Developing ideas and stories with these groups has hopefully been as beneficial to them as it has to my work. It has also been a fascinating process”

After the premiere, the films will be projected onto external walls of buildings in Meir and Stoke in a series of spectacular evenings. The films will also be available on www.projectingstoke.com in early April.

The Projecting Stoke scheme is run by a partnership of Hi8us Midlands Ltd, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire University and the Meir Resource Centre. Hi8us Projects Ltd is an established charity with an impressive history of utilising the skills of experts to guide amateurs, with professional results.

This scheme has received funding from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Screen West Midlands and Equal-ITM, an initiative that strives to combat and prevent discrimination in the labour market.