independent Cornish news and comment

£1,000 PRIZE FOR YOUNG CORNISH FILM AND TV MAKERS

Young people in Cornwall are being urged to speak out about the major issues affecting the South West, and consequently the globe, and local young film makers will be in with the chance to win £1,000 for their efforts.


A new collaboration between ‘The South West Debates’ (an initiative led by the South West of England Regional Development Agency) and Chew TV sees the opportunity for young people in the South West to make a big impression and showcase their talents whilst potentially winning themselves some cash!

There’s little doubt that we’re all living with a ticking time bomb – as our population grows our resources are shriveling up and in danger of disappearing altogether. Our world in Cornwall and our way of life is changing with factors like pollution, population growth, energy issues, regional leadership and globalisation affecting each and every one of us in some way. Young people are right at the heart of the matter, and as the future leaders of this world now is the time for them to speak out and make their opinions, and their ideas for change, known.


The team behind the highly important South West Debates (www.swsdebates.info) has hooked up with Chew TV (www.chewtv.com) to create a competition for young people ages 16-25 living in the South West. Together, they’re challenging people up and down the region to think about some of the major issues that are going to affect our future, and make their own 90 second short film about their take on the situation. What’s going on in our own backyards? How do young people feel about what’s happening out there in the big wide world? How can we change things for the better? These are some of the key questions that can be used to prompt the short films and for the winning entry, £1,000 is up for grabs.

Simon Hooton, Head of Policy and Strategy at the South West RDA says, “Everyone of every age knows that our world is changing at such a rapid pace and we’re all being challenged by issues like population growth and the endangered environment. Young people are the ones who will be responsible for this world in the near future and now is the time for them to speak up and let hundreds of thousands of people know what they feel and what they think we should be doing to call a halt to some of the issues we are facing. £1,000 is up for grabs for the winner and we know that there are lots of talented young people in Newquay with opinions to express. The deadline is the 25th April so we’re urging them to get a move on and get their entries ready and into us very quickly.”

Tamsin Harvey of Chew TV says, “Chew TV is all about young people having their say and making their voice heard and our collaboration with the South West Debates gives local people a chance to make a difference whilst showcasing their film making talents to the film and TV industries globally. Chew TV uses the power of connecting people through new media to share the opinions, represent the views, show the talent and support the campaigns of young people so the films that come out of the SW Debates competition will also be aired globally through our channel. Get involved before it’s too late!”

More info about the South West Debates and the Chew TV competition can be found on www.chewtv.com/swdebates or http://www.swdebates.info/eye/introduction.asp. People can also check out http://www.swdebates.info for a more in-depth look at some of the issues.

Issued on behalf of Chew TV by Excess Energy Communications. For further information or interviews please contact Max Hepworth-Povey on 07772565685 or max@chewtv.com.