February 13, 2012 9.33 am This story is over 144 months old

Lincoln children nominated for film award

Special kids: A group of children from Lincoln used their experiences of living in care to create a short film, now been nominated for a national award.

A group of children from Lincoln who have been in care, have been nominated for a prestigious award for their short film Broken Sleep.

The 6 to 13 year-olds used their experience of living in care to create their imaginative drama which is shortlisted for a First Light Award.

Lincoln’s Shooting Fish Theatre Company worked with the young people to put the film together, a drama that blurs the line between the dream world and real life with a sinister edge.

The company’s Education and Community Outreach Co-Ordinator, Laura Kavanagh, explained how excited one of the film’s stars was at hearing the news.

“After telling Alex about the film being nominated for an award he shouted ‘Yes’ and did a little dance.

“As a result of being involved in the project, Alex is now participating in regular arts activities through youth theatre,” Kavanagh explained.

Nominated in the best drama category, the group will now be judged by the director of The King’s Speech, Tom Hooper, and producer of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, David Heyman.

They will be against two other films from Liverpool and Fife at the awards, on March 5, in London.

Since launching in 2001, First Light enabled over 40,000 budding creative professionals to write, act, shoot, light, direct, construct and produce over 1000 films and media projects.

First Light Chair, Barbara Broccoli, said: “Filmmaking amongst young people across the UK has never been more popular and it is vitally important that young people from all backgrounds have a creative voice.”

The best drama category is sponsored by Ingenious Media who have produced over 70 films, including the highest grossing film of all time, Avatar.