Film Festivals

Kids for Kids Film Festival, Cyprus

Four LiveWire participants travelled to the Kids for Kids International Children's Film Festival, Cyprus with Rebecca McKnight, Cornerhouse Youth Projects Officer and Marisa Draper, Education Project Assistant from the 16 - 18 June.  The group supported their short film 'Wired',  a science fiction film about an illegal computer game from the future which competed in the Live Action 13 - 16 years old category of the film festival.   Wired was made by LiveWire, Cornerhouse's creative project for young people aged 14 - 18 years old last year, and was funded by First Light, through the UK Film Council.  

Rebecca McKnight said, "The festival was fantastic, we didn't win, but of course it's the taking part that counts.  The young people representing LiveWire met other young people from all over the world and I made really valuable contacts with other film educators.  Since going to the festival I've had offers from other children's film festivals and organisations to bring LiveWire participants to film camps and festivals all over the world, it really was a great opportunity!"

Young People's Reviews:

Review by LiveWire Critic, Daniella Mayhew

Hello and my name is Daniella. I was one of the four lucky Livewire participants, who went on a trip to Nicosia (which is the capital of Cyprus).

On the morning of June 14^th 2006, we travelled from the Cornerhouse to catch a 20 minute train to Manchester Airport; where we bought Nik-naks and changed our English pounds to Cypriot Pounds. Before boarding we stopped at a café to grab a bite to eat prior to our 5 hour plane journey.

When we arrived at Cyprus we were greeted by a young man, and we were taken to the hotel where we stayed for 5 nights. It was called the Crown Inn, and it was a beautiful place. Oh, and before I forget, my room had a walk in wardrobe, a lovely four poster bed and also conservatory doors which led to a massive balcony. It was like living the life of a princess! As a group we had many laughs and jokes, but I do have to admit James was the funniest person I have ever met!

The film festival was great, the only thing that I could say needed to be changed was the work done in the workshops, I just didn't find it that interesting. I also enjoyed meeting the other young people from around the world and going sightseeing. I got a lot of souvenirs, (oh yeah) and a lovely pair of shoes! The food was delicious, (salads, meats etc) umm! Visiting the beach on the last day out was gorgeous; I stayed in the sea all day.

Review by LiveWire Critic, Pascal Knight 

The start of this trip for me was a little more complicated my last exam was conveniently 2 hours before I had to be at the airport so after mad dash across Manchester to meet everyone else, I was glad to sit down in the departure lounge and get to know the people I was going to be spending the next four days with. On first impressions everyone was really nice and friendly and I spent the next five hours on the plane talking to James.

When we arrived at the airport we were picked up and taken to the hotel on the mini bus. We all befriended a Canadian film maker called Joseph. That night James entertained us with his amateur film making on his phone and hilarious stories. The next day we went into Nicosia for a spot of shopping and sight seeing and took a trip on a Coca-Cola train around the old town. After that we went to the Cineplex were we met all the other young film makers.

The second day was spent watching some of the films, they were all very impressive. I especially liked WHY COWS DON’T FLY; a short animated comedy answering the timeless question (why don’t cows fly) after that we drove back to the Cineplex were we did a workshop and later watched a film called EL GUARDAVAIS. The film was really good and I was very impressed. The next day we did the same thing screenings in the morning and a workshop in the afternoon.

All of the films entered were excellent and on the second to last day the "youngsters jury" decided on winners for each category this was tough as all the films were impressive but SQUIRRELS ATE MY HAMMOCK, THE INNER EYE, MARSHMALLOW LAND and of course WIRED were the clear winners for me. On the last day we all went to the beach and after searching for an umbrella we went in the sea. James was buried up to his neck in sand and we sunbathed. I really enjoyed my stay in Cyprus and hope to stay in touch with the friends I made whilst out there. Thanks to the Kids for Kids festival team, Rebecca and Marisa for making it possible and James for making me laugh more than I ever have.

Review by LiveWire Critic, James Wood 

Travelling in Nicosia was amazing. I wish we could have stayed for more than six days. We went to cinemas, workshops, the beach and restaurants. It was like going on an adventure. EVERYTHING was enjoyable. Most of the films we watched from the festival were funny; some of them were really dramatic. One was quite scary. It was called EL GUARDAVAIS. The film called FISH was one of the films I really liked.

The one thing that got me quite annoyed was when they called it “Kids for Kids Festival”. It would have been better if they called it “Kids, teenagers and Adults Festival”, because it wasn’t just kids :)

At the restaurants the food was nice (it was so yummy especially the seafood!) Some people enjoyed Cypriot coffee (Rebecca) but me, I couldn’t care less really. I was just after the food! You know what restaurants are like. They provide you with delicious food. That’s why once you pop, you can’t stop! :)

The beach, hmm…………….What can I say? It was fun! Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves, swimming and burying themselves. (Well it wasn’t actually them it was me!)

The hotel, oh my god! It was cool! The bedroom was so nice, the bathroom was good and the balcony was cool! I liked chilling on that balcony; I don’t know why I just love staying there.

Review by LiveWire Critic, Chloe Daniels

Hi my names Chloe and I got the great opportunity of going to Cyprus with 3 other young people and the project leaders, Rebecca McKnight and Marisa Draper. We travelled from Manchester airport directly to Cyprus on the 14^th June 2006 and it was a five hour flight. When we arrived in Cyprus we were met by a friendly man who took us to the hotel we stayed in for 5 nights. The hotel was lovely and was called the Crown Inn. The next day, which was our first day, we went souvenir shopping which was great and ate at a fabulous restaurant!

The next day we watched the films in the festival and went to a workshop which was ok, but it wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be...

That night the hotel had a traditional night where they played lovely folk music however that night I vomited about 10 times! I was taken to hospital by Rebecca. It was horrible, my stomach ached and the next day I vomited again (several times). So I had to stay in and miss out on the festival that day. On the Saturday even though I was still ill, I went down to watch a really good feature film made in Spain. I still felt really ill and had to go back to the hotel afterwards whilst all the film makers went to a restaurant (not fair :(

Overall I enjoyed the holiday even though I was ill for half the stay. I met children from around the world, one of which became a good friend of ours. His name was Joseph and he was from Canada. He made us laugh a little but James made me laugh so much I cried. He really is the strangest but also funniest person I have ever met and the trip wouldn’t have been the same without him and his singing and unusual dancing.

Thanks a lot to the Kids for Kids Festival and to Daniella and Pascal for being so considerate and caring when I was ill.

On our last day in Cyprus all the film makers went to the beach in Nicosia where we were staying, which was beautiful. The festival was great and many thanks to Rebecca and Marisa for taking me!xmwahx

Watch Wired by clicking here!

For more info on the Kids For Kids Film Festival and to see the winners of the festival surf http://www.kidsforkidsfestival.org