A new movie competition has uncovered some serious film-making talent in Devon. More than 50 people entered the Motionplymouth contest, which was launched as part of the city's first festival of light and the moving image.
 | | A frame from Denise at Sixteen |
People of all levels of film-making talent were invited to submit their work – from the absolute beginner to the veteran. Judges say the standard of entries was exceptionally high - with some amazing camera work and editing on display. The winners were announced during a champagne reception at Plymouth's Theatre Royal. Prizes were awarded in four categories: - Changing Plymouth: At Any Time by Ben Cornish - a skate movie set around Plymouth landscapes, offering an exhilarating view from the board.
- Phone-in Movie: Snowfingers by Oli Davis and Tom Frewings - a finger-puppet short made on the ferry as the pair set out snowboarding.
- Music: Across the Universe by Kevin Jarvis - a space-age pop video complete with baby aliens and disco-dancing spacemen.
- Open Category: Denise at Sixteen by Nick Ward - a nostalgic, romantic black and white short filmed on the last Super8 reel processed in the UK.
A fifth film, a surreal silent movie called The Extraordinary Lightbulb by Finbar Mallow, was highly commended by the judges.
 | | The music video Around the Universe |
The competition was backed by BBC South West, Open Reel and the South West Film and Television Archive. BBC Radio Devon's assistant editor Sarah Solftley was on the judging panel. She said: "We're delighted with the number of entries which showcased the talent of local film-makers in Devon. "The quality of the films made our job as judges very difficult. We've already decided to hold another competition in 2007 and hope to have even more entries. " All the shortlisted movies are to be added to the South West Film and Television Archive following the contest. | 
