The 10th edition of Ymotion - Famalicão Youth Film Festival kicked off last Saturday with a session that brought together actors, filmmakers, film critics and the festival jury, whose godmother for this edition is actress Isabela Valadeiro.
The festival will take place from 4 to 7 December, but the submission period for short films produced by young people aged 12 to 35 runs from 11 May to 15 October at www.ymotion.org.
Until then, there are various initiatives to promote the festival and the seventh art in general. This is the case with the training cycle that begins on 13 May, consisting of six free workshops and masterclasses, which run until 18 May, with topics such as "Screenwriting for Cinema", "Introduction to Animation: From Idea to Screen", or a "Practical Workshop in Cinematography", among others. Registration opens on 3 May.
"Ymotion isn't just about the week of the competition and there's a whole programme to promote, train and encourage young people to take part in the festival. This is the case with the training cycle and the 'Filmmaker of the Future' award, which is new for this 10th edition and is aimed at students in the 3rd cycle of basic education at schools that are part of the National Film Plan, and which encourages them to explore the world of cinema with enthusiasm and dedication," said Luísa Azevedo, Youth Councillor for the Municipality of Famalicão at the presentation of the festival.
This edition has nine categories in competition: the best short film will be awarded the "Joaquim de Almeida Grand Prize", worth 2,500 euros. There will be prizes for the best film produced by secondary school students, the best documentary, the best-animated film and the audience's favourite film. The best experimental short film, the best performance, the best script and the best cinematography will also be honoured.
As in previous editions, screenwriter and film critic Tiago R. Santos is the president of the competition jury, accompanied by a panel of judges from the world of cinema, the arts, literature and photography: Carla Chambel (actress and vice-president of the Portuguese Film Academy), Válter Hugo Mãe (writer and artist), Paula Lobo Antunes (actress), Lara Marques Pereira (film journalist) and Silvana Torricella (director and screenwriter).
Another novelty of this 10th edition is the documentary "cinematographic portraits: a journey with ymotion", a tribute to the festival's history that aims to show the backstage and memories of notable figures honoured by YMOTION, such as António Pedro Vasconcelos, Joaquim de Almeida, Rita Blanco, Lúcia Moniz and Beatriz Batarda, Rodrigo Santoro, Ines de Medeiros, among others. This work will be promoted by a group of young people from Famalicense, students on the multimedia and audiovisual courses at the Padre Benjamim Salgado and Camilo Castelo Branco secondary schools, who will direct this documentary co-produced by YMOTION.
"This initiative not only highlights YMOTION's commitment to promoting local talent, but will also provide a unique and passionate insight into the evolution of the festival over the years. We believe this approach will add an authentic and meaningful touch to the festival's 10th anniversary, making it truly memorable," added Luísa Azevedo.
Ymotion Training Cycle - Programme and Registration
13 May, 14h30 (duration 2h) Screenwriting Workshop for Cinema, with Ricardo Leite Location: Casa da Juventude de Famalicão
14th May, 2.30 p.m. (duration 2 hours) Workshop: Introduction to Animation: From Idea to Screen, with Laura Gonçalves Location: Famalicão Youth House
15th May, 2.30pm (duration 2h) Masterclass: Financing and Fundraising for Youth Film Projects, with Manuel Claro Location: Famalicão Youth House
16th May, 2.30pm (duration 2h) Workshop: Sound and Soundtrack in Cinema: Creating Environments and Emotions, with Rui Reininho Location: Famalicão Youth House
17th May, 2.30 p.m. (duration 2 h) Practical Workshop on Cinematography, with Jorge Quintela Location: Famalicão Youth House
18th May, 3pm (duration 2h) Casting for Film Workshop, with Jo Monteiro Location: Casa da Juventude de Famalicão
Registration for the YMOTION 2024 Training Cycle will be available from 3 May on the Youth of Famalicão website at www.juventudefamalicao.org and on the festival website at www.ymotion.org.