IT'S TIME FOR 'ACTION' IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A FILM!

FANCY making a short five-minute film in the next 48 hours?
If so, prepare to get cracking!
As the opening part of Birmingham's first Hello Digital Festival, the 48-hour Film Dash: Digital Galore! has been designed to give new talents the chance to compete to see their movie on the big screen.
The winning entry will be shown at the New Street Odeon on Sunday, October 26 as part of a 7pm gala evening to celebrate the life of Birmingham-born film producer Sir Michael Balcon, the former head of Ealing Studios who set up experimental funds to help newcomers.
The event will include an introductory speech by Sir Michael Balcon's daughter Jill Balcon - the mother of double Oscar-winning star Daniel Day-Lewis - and there will also be a rare chance to see the classic Ealing comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) directed by Robert Hamer and produced by Sir Michael Balcon.
Tickets are free, just contact Roger at www.swishproductions.co.uk or telephone 0121 449 5598 and the screening will begin at 7pm prompt.
Film Dash will enable budding directors, actors and scriptwriters to pool their creative talents for a short film lasting from between one to five minutes in length.
Any equipment can be used from hand-held cameras to mobile phones and the subject matter is up to you.
The only stipulation is that each film must include a predetermined reference to the life and work of Sir Michael Balcon.
The other Film Dash films, including the winner, will be showcased at Millennium Point as part of the Hello Digital festival.
Film Dash coordinator Chris Unitt says: "Birmingham has an extremely rich and varied film history and Film Dash is a fantastic way to pay homage to those who have played an integral part in the region's cultural landscape.
"It is also a great way to introduce a new breed of film maker to key individuals such as Sir Michael Balcon."
Film Dash: Digital Galore! begins today (FRI 17) and is open to anyone who wants to register to get involved.
Teams must contain at least one person over 18 years of age and have no more than 5 members. There are no restraints on equipment quality and no previous experience in film making is required.
For more information or to register visit www.filmdash.wordpress.com or visit the Hello Digital website at www.hellodigital.net and follow the links for Film Dash.
All films will be accessible from the Hello Digital website after the event.
+ A University of Derby project will enable school and college filmmakers from the West Midlands to compete for the chance to see their new film on the BBC Big Screen in the East Midlands' city.
Participants have until Friday, November 1 to register and until January 25, 2009 to submit their work.
For application details and guidelines, schools and colleges should contact Iram Ahmed on 01332 591042 or email i.ahmed@derby.ac.uk
The online address is: www.derby.ac.uk/schoolsliaison/bbcbigscreencompetition