Public screening of community films held as part of AniMaidstone festival
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Maidstone Housing Trust has joined with KCC, MediaTree and Maidstone Borough Council to sponsor the 2009 AniMaidstone Festival, in association with the University for the Creative Arts.
The 2009 AniMaidstone festival was launched in January by BBC documentary film maker, Kim Hopkins, and over 100 guests attended the Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone on the 7th of April to watch the screening of the short films created by the students.
Students were given the opportunity to work with Maidstone Housing Trust tenants including young families, over 60s clubs, disabled groups and youth clubs, to create short films on social intervention and reinforcement of cultural identity, highlighting local issues. The project also gave people from community groups a chance to tell their stories and celebrate the fantastic work of volunteers and support workers.
Caroline McBride, Head of Community Development at Maidstone Housing Trust adds “The AniMaidstone Festival has been a great opportunity for the tenants to get involved with a fun and interesting community based project with the students at UCA. Maidstone Housing Trust is proud to sponsor the project, which has helped to bring together local businesses, the community and creative industry with education.”
A number of combinations of media were used by the students to create the films, ranging from live action recording to animation, drawing and photography. The audience was also treated to a selection of animated films from visiting animation professionals from Portugal and the Netherlands who had spoken at the AniMaidstone conference earlier in the day. Hosted by Maidstone Studios the conference attracted industry speakers and delegates from across the country and the EU, who explored current trends in animated films and how ideas of place, identity and community are addressed.
date published: 20/04/2009