“The Young Film Critic of the Year Awards encourage active film viewing. Being set the task of writing a review enthuses and inspires young people to develop their writing skills through exploring stories and characters in ways they may not ordinarily do.” says Jonathan Douglas, Director National Literacy Trust.

The competition can be entered through a dedicated website at www.youngfilmcritic.org where teachers and students will find the criteria and downloadable entry forms.

Young critics should submit their review of any film released in cinemas in the past year before the closing date of 21st September 2007. Entries will be judged in four age categories:

• The Young Film Critic of the Year (11-15 & 15–19)
• The Junior Film Critic of the Year (7–11)
• The Mini Film Fan (3–7)

Says patron of the awards, author and Film Critic for London’s Evening Standard, Derek Malcolm ‘…this competition is not about creating film critics – but about encouraging young people to appreciate the wonder of film and the wealth of choice out there…’

The YFC Awards are organised by Film Education (www.filmeducation.org) and are part of National Schools Film Week (NSFW) 15th–19th October: England, Wales and N Ireland, 29th October–2nd November: Scotland. (www.nsfw.org)