A collaboration between three of the Isle of Wight’s arts organisations, with sponsorship and support from influential people in the film industry, are launching a competition for aspiring filmmakers.

The launch event and briefing will take place at Ventnor Arts Club at 7pm on Thursday 13th July. All welcome, even if you’re just thinking of taking part.

Ventnor Exchange, Brave Island, Ventnor Arts Club and Ventnor Film Society, with support from highly experienced, award-winning industry mentors are staging the second edition of ‘Picture the Music’. Although Ventnor based, the competition encourages entries from all over the Island.

Winners of the last competition, Jack Millward and Tom Kral hail from Ryde, collectively known as Double or Nothing Productions, went on to be nominated for a Mobo Award for directing, filming and editing a video for rapper Headie One’s ‘Can’t Be Us’. Jack explains the journey the pair have taken,

“In 2019, after leaving education and keen to figure out the next stage of our lives, we entered a short film competition held in Ventnor.

“To our surprise, we won and it kicked us into gear, and we started to take filmmaking seriously, investing the prize money into a new camera.”

The 2023 competition offers bigger prizes of £850 for the overall winner and £400 for the top under 18, to spend on filming equipment.

Individuals and teams are welcome to take part.

The awards commemorate one of the coolest characters in Ventnor who came to the Island after an illustrious career in London, and co-founded Ventnor Film Society.

‘The Peter Cramp Awards’ are a fitting memorial to someone who loved independent film, wanted others to share in his passion for it and made it happen.

Picture the Music is aimed at aspiring, Island filmmakers. The challenge is simple – produce a video for your choice from a selection of music tracks made available.

Each is an original work created by talented Island musicians, who can adopt the piece as their official video if they wish and attract audiences on you tube and other social channels.

People who like your video get to hear their music, people visiting to find the music see your video. Everybody benefits.

The organising team has selected five tracks; entrants just pick their favourite and create a music video for it. There’s no need to write and record dialogue.

The piece can be as abstract as you like or be a more literal connection to the lyrics.

The emphasis is not on technical filmmaking knowledge but on demonstrating original ideas that interpret the chosen song through film.

Creativity, ingenuity and craft is what pieces will be judged on, as well as straight up entertainment value.

State of the art professional equipment is not required; entries can be filmed with any video camera or smart phone. It is also hoped that animated work will be entered – digital or stop frame.

There will also be mentoring sessions available during the period between launch and judging. There are some great people who are volunteering their time to help you produce the best piece possible.

The competition is completely free to enter. All films must be submitted by 31st August and all the tracks and application forms can be found on the Ventnor Exchange Website.

Alternatively drop into Ventnor Exchange at 11 Church St, Ventnor PO38 1SW, or get in touch by email at [email protected] or by phone on (01983) 716767.

The winners will be announced at a special event in September at Ventnor Arts Club, when the shortlisted films will be screened, and the winner announced.

This is a brilliant opportunity for new filmmakers to showcase and develop their skills and we hope to see lots of entries to this exciting Island event.