A STAR-STUDDED judging panel including Titanic star Kate Winslet and British movie director Sir Alan Parker are to cast their expert eyes over a First Light Movies funded film made by young people from South Wales.

Two men and their Ponies, made by young people working with Flycatcher Films in Abergavenny, has been nominated in the Best Documentary category of the First Light Movies Awards 2007 - the UK's very own Mini Oscars®.

Two Men and Their Ponies is a documentary featuring archive clips telling the story of Welsh Mountain Ponies and their special place in Wales' history and heritage. It was made by a group of eight 16 to 18 year-olds.

The short film, shot using digital technology, will compete for the Best Documentary category against films from Buckinghamshire and South Yorkshire which will all be rated by the First Light Movies Awards judging panel.

Other members of this year's judging team include Hollywood actress Minnie Driver, Stormbreaker star Alex Pettyfer, Billy Elliot director Stephen Daldry and Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq.

Winners will be announced at a red-carpet event to be held at the Odeon West End, London, on Tuesday, February 27 2007.

First Light Movies provides funding and expertise to help five to 18-year-olds, throughout the UK from varying backgrounds, create their own films using National Lottery money through UK Film Council funding.

Through First Light Movies’ grants young people are given the opportunity to work alongside professional filmmakers and are involved with every aspect of filmmaking from forming the idea and the script to directing and editing.

First Light Movies Chief Executive Pip Eldridge says: "We're amazed by the quality of this year's First Light Movies Awards nominees. They prove that the next generation of UK filmmakers is thriving.

"This level of talent means this year's awards should be particularly memorable and I'm really looking forward to the ceremony."

The fifth First Light Movies Awards will be attended by leading figures from the worlds of television and film. Schools, youth groups and other organisations from across the UK are all vying for awards in nine categories including Best Screenplay and Best Horror.

First Light Movies Chair Barbara Broccoli, producer at James Bond production company EON, added: "I'm really proud to be associated with First Light Movies and I hope that many of the young people who have created these excellent nominated films will go on to work in the British film industry."

Paul Sinnadurai, co-star of the film ‘Two Men and their Ponies’ and Ecologist for the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said:  “It was great working with the crew and so many Welsh Mountain Ponies in such beautiful surroundings.  Despite the pouring rain and people getting stuck in the mud, it was very rewarding to be part of a film promoting these beautiful animals.  I hope this film gets great recognition for the work it has achieved - bringing well-deserved attention to this endangered breed and their owners.”

Pictures: Courtesy and copyright of Flycatcher Films and First Light. 

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Notes for editors:

1.      First Light Movies was launched in May 2001 to fund and inspire the making of short digital films, reflecting the diversity of young people’s lives.  First Light Movies is an initiative supported by the UK Film Council with Lottery funding.

2.      To date First Light Movies has given more than 10,000 young people the chance to write, act, shoot and produce over 750 films under the guidance of professional filmmakers.  First Light Movies works in association with youth agencies, schools, colleges, production companies and film clubs throughout the UK.  Some young filmmakers have used First Light Movies as a stepping stone to gain work experience in the film industry.

3.      For more information about First Light Movies and other projects log on to 

4.      First Light Movies was established by Hi8us Projects in 2001 and has a long history with Hi8us Projects Limited. Under the guidance and expertise of Hi8us, First Light Movies has changed the lives of many young people. Hi8us nurtured the young company and enabled it to develop into the thriving organisation that it is today. Hi8us history and foresight helped First Light Movies to work with funding bodies enabling it to forge relationships with many schools, filmmakers, film groups, youth groups and cinemas to produce films that articulate the concerns and interests of many young people.

5.      The UK Film Council is the lead agency for film in the UK ensuring that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented at home and abroad.  We invest Government grant-in-aid and Lottery money in film development and production; training; international development and export promotion; distribution and exhibition; and education.  Our aim is to deliver lasting benefits to the industry and the public alike through:

·        creativity - encouraging the development of new talent, skills, and creative and technological innovation in UK film and assisting new and established film-makers to produce successful and distinctive British films;

·        enterprise - supporting the creation and growth of sustainable businesses in the film sector, providing access to finance and helping the UK film industry compete successfully in the domestic and global marketplace;

·        imagination - promoting education and an appreciation and enjoyment of cinema by giving UK audiences access to the widest range of UK and international cinema, and by supporting film culture and heritage.