Don’t just watch the TV, be a part of it!
A call has gone out for young people aged 4-18 from across Ireland and the UK to create their own idea for a mini-TV show for the future.
The British Film Institute (BFI) has today unveiled their second “See Yourself On Screen” challenge (SYOS), and the winners have their show made with the help of a team of professionals and premiere on national television.
Backed by TV personality and star judge Konnie Huq, winners will be paired with a celebrity mentor per channel who will help them bring their idea to life, before their short airs on a broadcaster later this year.
The Irish broadcaster TG4 is participating in the imitative. Entries are now open at www.bfi.org.uk/seeyourselfonscreen.
Last year’s challenge saw hundreds of young people from across Ireland and the UK send in their 30-second video submissions, with an esteemed panel of industry judges choosing the overall winners.
The finalists duly received one-to-one virtual masterclasses from famous and influential figures from the world of TV such as Konnie Huq, Jessica Hynes, Rob Delaney, Cheryl Taylor, Harry Hill, Matthew Lewis, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Robert Popper and Reggie Yates.
Each mentor offered hints and tips to help guide the finalists through the scriptwriting and shooting process, before the finalists saw their show premiere on TG4, Channel 5’s Milkshake!, CITV, E4 and S4C.
In line with the aims of the YACF, the See Yourself on Screen Challenge seeks to encourage children and young people to engage with television, offering them an opportunity to share their ideas for the future of children’s TV – TV that is inspiring, informative, reflective and inclusive.
A key aim of the Fund is to encourage the creation of high quality, free-to-air public service television programmes which reflect the lives of children and young people in Ireland and the UK.
Entrants are asked to submit an initial 30-second video, summarising their idea for a two-minute-long mini TV show set 75 years from now. They will be offered digital masterclasses with an experienced figure from the television industry, who will help each finalist turn their idea into reality. The resulting two-minute mini-TV show will then premiere on one of the partner broadcasters this autumn.
Siobhán Ní Bhrádaigh, Commissioning Edior of Young People’s TV in TG4 said: “We are delighted to be part of the initative again this year following the success of last year’s See Yourself on Screen Challenge’, We look forward to bringing new talent and ideas from young people across Ireland to TG4.”
Entries ar enow open for See Yourself on Screen and should be submitted via www.bfi.org.uk/seeyourselfonscreen.
The closing date for entries is 2pm on Monday 28th June 2021 and successful shortlisted entrants will be notified by Wednesday 14th July.
