Blackheath students win at anti-smoking film awards at Curzon Soho

Five students from St Matthew Academy also won the 16 - 19 Age Category for their film ‘Race for Your Life’. The 16 - 19 Age Category awards were presented by writer, director, producer, Sheridan Demyers.

4music presenter Jimmy Hill hosted the award ceremony at the Curzon Soho. Presenters included: Oliver Parker – BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated director of The Importance of Being Earnest, Dorian Grey and Johnny English Reborn.

Tony Jordan – Writer and producer of Eastenders, Hustle and Life on Mars.

Sheridan de Myers – writer, director, producer who has just released his debut feature film The Weekend.

Prano Bailey Bond – director who has worked with Film4, Film London and Sony Music.

Jacqueline Shepherd – Sky1 Presenter of What’s Up TV Kieron Bimpson – actor who has worked with Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman The competition run by Cut Films (the education and prevention arm of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation) asks young people across the UK to research smoking and tobacco. They then make a two-minute advert to persuade their friends not to smoke, upload it to the Cut Films competition website and share it on their social media.  It is their take on the issues associated with smoking.

Films made for the competition include issues like lung cancer, peer pressure, death, health impacts, child labour, shisha and tobacco marketing.

The St Matthew Academy films won in the National Cut Films competition after an impressive 162 films were submitted from schools, youth projects and individuals from across the UK. ‘Race for Your Life’ was a dark spoken word piece on the dangers of smoking.

Jimmy Hill, 4music presenter and Cut Films Awards host said “I was genuinely blown away by the quality of the films and the passion. It’s exciting to see so many young people really engaged with such an important cause. It’s a pleasure to be involved”

Submitted by Gemma Allwright