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Five talented writers from across the North West have beaten off stiff competition from aspiring scriptwriters to have their scripts transformed into films and screened at premieres across the region as part of the celebr8 on the Silver Screen competition.

People across the region were invited to submit a script to be turned into a short film, illustrating 'What diversity means to me'.

Liverpool's winning script came from Terry Caffrey who wrote Diver-City, a fast-paced and colourful monologue exploring the importance of embracing diversity. His concept has been professionally made into a short film, which was premiered at the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology (FACT) in Liverpool on 16th September 2008 and at series of cinemas across the North West.

Terry said: I entered the competition because it presented a great opportunity to write something worthwhile about diversity in Merseyside. It was a great challenge for me, as a writer, to find a different way of getting the message across about the importance of our societys diverse nature.


Manchester's Sue Plover wrote Timings which explores the complex issues around age discrimination and the value of diversity in our society. Her concept has been professionally made into a short film, which was shown at the Zion Centre in Hulme, Manchester, on Wednesday 17th September and at series of cinemas across the North West.

Sue, who lives in Leigh with her husband and two daughters, has been an avid writer since joining local writing group, Scriptshop, four years ago before which, she confesses she could only write cheques! I am still in shock but am absolutely delighted that my script is being made into a film, she comments. Awareness of discrimination is a cause thats close to my heart and I hope my film encourages people to think about where discrimination comes from both sides of the age gap.


Lancashire's winning script came from 18 year old Amy Richardson who wrote Random Acts of Kindness, a heart-warming story about the wide spectrum of people that make up North West society. Her concept has been professionally made into a short film, which was shown at the Mitchell & Kenyon Cinema at the University of Central Lancashire, on Wednesday 17th September and at series of cinemas across the North West.

Amy, who lives in Chorley with her family, has a keen interest in film making and is going to Edge Hill University next month to study Film Production. The celebr8 on the Silver Screen competition has been fantastic, says Amy. The message I wanted to convey with my film script is that everyone is different but, at the end of the day, were all part of the same family.


Cheshire's Sarah Whites winning script is based around the friendship that forms between a volunteer youth worker and a young disabled woman. Her concept has been professionally made into a short film by local production company Bakermedia, which was shown at the Forum Studio Theatre in Chester, on Thursday 18th September and at series of cinemas across the North West.

I am forever being inspired by young people, their untapped potential and their positive outlooks on life and nothing makes me angrier than young people being unnecessarily demonised, labelled and judged by society, says Sarah. I am thrilled with having the script filmed and really hope that the film conveys the genuine friendship between the young women.


Cumbria's winning entry came from Whitehavens Ian Hinde who wrote Stiletto Studded Boots which takes the form of a video diary exploring diversity through womens football and features the football team Whitehaven Ladies FC. His concept has been professionally made into a short film by local production company Scruffy Dog Media, which was shown at the Plaza Cinema in Workington, on Monday 22nd September and at series of cinemas across the North West.

I hope people will learn from my film that, with a little effort, it is possible to understand and appreciate others for their different cultures, experiences and beliefs, said Ian.




email celebr8@webershandwick.com **