In a bid to help unearth the future movers and shakers of the film industry in Wales, the Film Agency for Wales have agreed to sponsor Zoom’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Award 2007. The award will enable young Filmmakers aged 8-18 in Wales to show off their talents during Wales’ International Young People’s Film Festival which will run from Thursday 22^nd to Sunday 25^th March 2007. The competition will include two age categories, 8-13 and 14-18, and the Zoom Young Filmmaker Award, sponsored by the Film Agency, will be presented on the Festival’s Closing Night at the Bridgend Odeon where each winner will receive £100 and the coverted title of Zoom Young Filmmaker 2007.

Daniel Thomas, the Film Agency for Wales’ Audience Developer explains their decision. "We’re delighted to be sponsoring Zoom’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Award. Our main aim is to help with the emergence of a viable film industry within Wales and this award will hopefully give Wales’ future film talent the recognition they need and deserve in order to flourish. Our remit is also to ensure the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are effectively represented in Wales and we feel the activities of Zoom will help fulfill each of these within the South Wales Valleys."

Lisa Davies, Director of Zoom, discusses the importance of gaining such support from the Film Agency for Wales. "Zoom is very grateful and thrilled to have gained this invaluable partnership with the Film Agency for Wales. We hope their support will help us develop the Zoom Young Filmmaker Award, making it a prestigious prize young filmmakers will strive to win."

To enter Zoom’s Young Filmmaker of the Year Award 2007 sponsored by the Film Agency for Wales please visit www.zoomcymru.com to download entry forms and guidelines. More information regarding Wales’ International Young People’s Film Festival is also available on the website or by calling 029 2046 1166.