Teenage film critics pick up top awards
Last updated 05:11, Friday, 07 November 2008
FILM CRITIC Mark Kermode better watch out – two Brampton schoolgirls are after his job following competition wins.
William Howard pupils Emma Goodchild, 14, and Daneka Etchells, 14, put pen to paper in the Film Education Young Film Critic of the Year Awards.
The pair bowled over the competition judges beating young people across the country to take the top spots in their categories.
Emma, of Millfield, Brampton, who is hard of hearing and has cerebral palsy, came out top in the sensory impaired category with a review of The Bourne Ultimatum.
Daneka, of Stanwix, took the title for the 11-14 age group with her review of 27 Dresses.
Both girls received their awards at a ceremony last month at the famous Bafta Building in London by former Blue Peter presenter, Katie Hill.
Their entries came after English teacher Simon Bourne encouraged his pupils to enter as part of National Schools Film Week.
Emma told The Cumberland News: “I didn’t know I had won when I went down to London – I was just taking it all in until the moment I won then it all became a blur.
“I’m really pleased we both won. I hadn’t thought about becoming a film critic, but now I’ve got the award I’d like some support from someone in the industry to see where I should go.”
Elaine Edgar, Emma’s learning support worker, said: “She is a very clever girl and I’m very proud of her. Emma is just so determined, she’s one in a million.”
Daneka said: “I didn’t think it was really me when they said my name, I thought they were joking. My nana cried when they said I had won.”
Mr Bourne added: “I was very, very proud. It is about giving young people the opportunity to succeed.”
The school will receive £2,000 to spend on improving film equipment and a visit from a film expert to talk with pupils about film production.
Each girl won a camera, £100 cinema vouchers and a subscription to Empire magazine.
