Still from ‘Witness’ which won the NYFA (National Young Filmmakers Award) at the Leeds young People’s Film Festival last year.
We recently caught up with Alfie Barker @alfie_barker, who recently won the Arts Category of the AXA Ambition Award 2011. Alfie impressed the judges because of his successes at such a young age in film making. He has been awarded four UK National Film Awards including The National Young Filmmaker Award 2011 and the Advisor’s Choice for Emerging Talent at the CO-OP Film Festival 2011.
How did you first get into filmmaking?
I began filmmaking when I was eight years old after attending an animation workshop, the Leeds Young People’s Film Festival held back in 2005. I then started attending workshops and getting involved with the festival, deciding what films to put into the festival. I realised at this point that I had a passion for film. I saved up for an animation camera and took my clay-mation films into my school, of which everyone seemed to enjoy. From 11 years old I took more of an interest in the more realistic side of film attending a wider selection of workshops as well as making my own films and editing family videos.
How has the region supported your filmmaking?
I feel lucky to have been brought up in such a thriving city that supports film and other arts. In 2010, I worked with Space2 on a four-day filmmaking course that allowed me to develop skills and work as a team with other people. The local festivals like the Leeds Young People’s Film Festival (LYPFF) have allowed me to enter my short films and get them seen by a wider audience. Last year I won the National Young Filmmakers Award for the under 14’s category and the prize money allowed me to enter other international festivals. LYPFF also hold a year-round film group called Media Fish run by Martin Grund and Debbie Maturi who help organise and present the festival every April, without them I wouldn’t be doing what I love.
What do you think about how film is presented in the region?
I don’t think that it is presented in the best possible way, especially for young and upcoming filmmakers like myself. I feel lucky to have got where I am now as looking back, most of the workshops and clubs I went to have now gone, which is such a pity for those who have the same dream as me.
What has been your greatest filmmaking achievement so far?
My greatest achievement was winning the AXA Ambition Award in November 2011 where I won £40,000 worth of mentoring from the professional film industry held by AXA insurance company. This will enable me to possibly go on to make a feature (long) film as well as being able to learn and work from the best people in the industry.
Tell us about your upcoming projects
I am currently working on a short film with Media Fish directing a group of young people and is based on poems by the Young Calderdale writers. The film follows the story of an old man and how his childhood memory on the moor has affected him. This is a project inspired and involved with the poet Simon Armitage and is due to be screened at the Ilkley Literature Festival this October. Afterwards I hope to be working on a longer film and taking more ambitious strides in the coming year.How did you first get into filmmaking?
I began filmmaking when I was eight years old after attending an animation workshop, the Leeds Young People’s Film Festival held back in 2005. I then started attending workshops and getting involved with the festival, deciding what films to put into the festival. I realised at this point that I had a passion for film. I saved up for an animation camera and took my clay-mation films into my school, of which everyone seemed to enjoy. From 11 years old I took more of an interest in the more realistic side of film attending a wider selection of workshops as well as making my own films and editing family videos.
How has the region supported your filmmaking?
I feel lucky to have been brought up in such a thriving city that supports film and other arts. In 2010, I worked with Space2 on a four-day filmmaking course that allowed me to develop skills and work as a team with other people. The local festivals like the Leeds Young People’s Film Festival (LYPFF) have allowed me to enter my short films and get them seen by a wider audience. Last year I won the National Young Filmmakers Award for the under 14’s category and the prize money allowed me to enter other international festivals. LYPFF also hold a year-round film group called Media Fish run by Martin Grund and Debbie Maturi who help organise and present the festival every April, without them I wouldn’t be doing what I love.
What do you think about how film is presented in the region?
I don’t think that it is presented in the best possible way, especially for young and upcoming filmmakers like myself. I feel lucky to have got where I am now as looking back, most of the workshops and clubs I went to have now gone, which is such a pity for those who have the same dream as me.
What has been your greatest filmmaking achievement so far?
My greatest achievement was winning the AXA Ambition Award in November 2011 where I won £40,000 worth of mentoring from the professional film industry held by AXA insurance company. This will enable me to possibly go on to make a feature (long) film as well as being able to learn and work from the best people in the industry.
Tell us about your upcoming projects
I am currently working on a short film with Media Fish directing a group of young people and is based on poems by the Young Calderdale writers. The film follows the story of an old man and how his childhood memory on the moor has affected him. This is a project inspired and involved with the poet Simon Armitage and is due to be screened at the Ilkley Literature Festival this October. Afterwards I hope to be working on a longer film and taking more ambitious strides in the coming year.
You can find out more about Alfie and his work at alfiebarker.com/.
This year the Leeds Young People’s Film Festival runs from 26th March – 6th April 2012, you can find out more about it at www.leedsyoungfilm.com.