ENTRIES are pouring in from across the globe for Keighley’s international film festival RATMA.
But organisers have decided to focus attention on local talent as they prepare for the fourth annual festival this July.
Festival organiser Marcus Gregg said RATMA, the River Aire Ten -Minute Amateur film festival, was particularly interested in Yorkshire entries.
He said: “We get films from all over the world and a small number from the UK.
“People travel from far and wide to come and see the films it would be fantastic to be able to showcase emerging Yorkshire talent.
“I always get a special buzz when I find a film from Leeds or Bradford plopping into my inbox."
Marcus said he and his team – based at the Keighley Campus of Leeds City College – were actively seeking out entries from talented Tykes.
He said: “We are talking to Yorkshire Student Unions and university faculties about extending the deadline to accommodate the term schedules and we are getting some excellent encouragement from them.
“We do know that there are plenty of creative amateurs and clubs producing some great quality and often edgy short films that we would love to give a platform to promote.
“There is no upper or lower age limit and would like to see films from both ends of the age spectrum, animation, live action, drama, artistic or documentary.”
Marcus, a tutor at Keighley Campus, said the RATMA team were also keen to promote music videos from local bands.
He said: “Music was a new genre two years ago and has grown in popularity with contributions from worldwide. I know there are some new bands around who we would love to see videos from.”
RATMA has already received a “great fun and playful” video from Keighley band Filthy Palms
Marcus added: “We are thrilled to be allowed to show them off to the world. So we would like to hear from anyone who manages, promotes or is in a local group or band, pop, rock or brass.
“There is also a forum for them to play acoustic sets at the festival itself in July."
Visit ratmaff.weebly.com or Twitter ?@RATMAFF for details of how to submit entries.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here