Groups of young people from Somerset have just completed five amazing short films. The participants have been involved in all aspects of the film making process, from story boarding to script writing, from camera operating to post production. The groups are: Young Carers from West Somerset, Young Mums from Glastonbury, the Care Leaver Group from Yeovil, Hillmead Kidz Club and Project PETE.

This project has been delivered by foreground with coordination from Take Art, a Somerset based arts development agency. The main funders of this project are First Light Movies, Somerset County Council and Connexions Somerset.

TAKE 5 MOVIES

One chapter, entitled 'The Bus Journey,' has lead to the launch of a career in entertainment for two of Glastonbury's newest and youngest actors. Courtney, 15-months, and Josh, 12-months-old, made their debut appearance at the Gala event. Their story tells the tale of a couple of mums who need to use their magic powers to remove an ignorant man from the bus.

Other scenarios include: my baby's first footsteps, my baby's first dance, my baby's first hair cut and the cafe incident!

Whilst the babies are undoubtedly the stars of the show, their mums had an even bigger part to play. Both on-set and off, mums helped make the film, from concept to completion.

The group from Shepton Mallet created a spooky film entitled 'THE PARCEL.' A core group of 20 young people created the film, some as young as 6 years old.

Cameron Edwards stars as the mysterious parcel bearer, with leading lady Charlotte Lintern as the unsuspecting host who receives it and wonders, should she dare open it?

Cllr Pauline Clarke, Somerset County Council's Portfolio Holder for Strategic Children's Services, said:

"This is a wonderful initiative, made possible by excellent partnership working, which has secured funding from First Light, a UK Film Council initiative supported by the Lottery. The project has given this group of young people a fantastic opportunity to put their creativity and energy into something completely different and have fun whilst learning new skills. I look forward to seeing the film and meeting its young creators at the premiere."

Partners involved in this specific film project include: Take Art, First Light, Somerset County Council, Mendip Housing, The Five Estates Community Group and Hillmead Kidz Club.