First Light Projects: Young Filmmakers Initiative

Threshold has a background in film production and a commitment to talent and skills development. In 2006 and 2007 we focused on aspiring young filmmakers from the East Midlands, helping them develop their professional experience through writing, shooting and directing short films with mentorship from industry professionals.  

Crews would take their film from idea to ‘in the can’ in one week. 

 Dark Reels 

Working with young people from the Kings Heath, Spencer and Dallington estates in Northamptonshire, Dark Reels saw the creation of five short films spanning from experimental documentary through to psychological thrillers.  

 Dark Reels films were premiered at Vue Northampton and went on to be shown at national film festivals and on BBC2.  

Dark Reels was funded through First Light with support from SRB 

Jam Sync 

Jam Sync saw young people from Northamptonshire develop two short films and then go on to participate in our first industry mentorship scheme.  They undertook Masterclasses in producing with Warp Films and distribution with Short Circuit films.  

Look Don’t Leap, a film produced through Jam Sync went on to win the First Light Special Projects award in 2007.  It was made available through Virgin media downloads to screen on your mobile phone 

Call the Shots 

A region wide filmmaking experience that saw 8 films created in 8 weeks across Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.  Young people who participated premiered their film at Odeon, Leicester. 

From these participants, 10 young people were taken forward to participate in a residential industry incubator which built on Jam Sync from 2006. These young people co-ordinated and hosted the screening event at Odeon Leicester, took part in group and individual mentorship.  

Their films were screened and shared through collaboration with Mediabox and EM Media.