Staffs film-makers line up at industry 'Oscars'

Film-makers from Staffordshire University will be enjoying the red carpet treatment this weekend when they attend the region's answer to the Oscars.

Four separate films have been nominated for awards at the Royal Television Society Awards event taking place at Birmingham's Burlington Hotel on Saturday.

A student film crew from the BSc(Hons) Film Production technology course have been nominated  in the Drama category for A Soldiers War and they will be facing  competiton from BA(Hons) Media Production graduate Matthew Williamson for his film entitled Falso Amore.

A Soldier's War was shot in Cannock Chase by Philip Swart, Dominic Thomas, Yoann Desmoyers-Davis, Robert Unwin and Kevin Philemon-Uduehi who are now entering the final year of their degree studies.

Yoann said: "The film took about four weeks to complete and we're quite happy with it though we can see how we"d do better next time." Senior lecturer Fiona Graham said: "This is the first time the Faculty has entered students' work from the BSc Hons course here in Stafford into the industry event which is broadcast every year."

Regulars to the regional competition is the BA(Hons)Media Production degree team at Stoke and two graduates whose work has made it into the Factual category this year are Naima Elmasri and Joy Ahmed.

Naima produced and directed Playground which was shot on location in Serbia and which explores the conflict between Serbian, Albanian and gypsy children.

Meanwhile Joy Ahmed's documentary Marked takes a topical look at knife crime in London through the eyes of two of it's victims.

Graduate Joy, 23, who wants to pursue a career in documentary film-making added: "I think it's the best course in the University because of the amount of professionalism and work required. It's a beacon course for the University."

All the awards will be presented to the worthy recipients during the Midlands Centre glittering Awards Dinner. The Centre presents 13 awards which cover all the main categories of television production.