ACTOR and director David Morrissey is to judge a film competition to encourage film-makers to uncover the city’s hidden treasures.
The It’s Liverpool On Film competition aims to showcase “new and surprising aspects” of Liverpool, as shot by film-makers old and new.
The films will be shortlisted after a public vote, and the winners will be selected by a judging panel led by Mr Morrissey.
The top film will win £1,000, with the sliver prize winner scooping £500 and the bronze winner taking home £250.
There will also be a £250 “People’s Prize” for the film that receives most views on YouTube.
Mr Morrissey said: “Film making isn’t just the preserve of people who have been to film school – anyone can pick up a camera and make their story ideas come to life. With new technology like mobile phones and HD flick cams, film making is quicker and easier than ever.
“We want to find and hear new voices and to see new and surprising aspects and images of Liverpool – I encourage everyone, young and old, film makers and complete novices, to sign up and have a go.”
Liverpool-born Mr Morrissey, who attended the Everyman Youth Theatre, was described by the British Film Institute as “one of the most versatile British actors of his generation”.
He won critical acclaim for his roles as Stephen Collins in State of Play and Gordon Brown in The Deal, while his film credits include Nowhere Boy and The Other Boleyn Girl.
The film competition is part of the It’s Liverpool/I’m Liverpool campaign to encourage people to show their love for the city and promote it as a great place to live, work, invest, study and visit. It has been organised by regeneration agency Liverpool Vision and by Liverpool Film Office.
As well as Mr Morrissey, the judging panel also includes:
Jon Corner, who is visiting fellow at the School of Arts, University of Liverpool, and chairman of Liverpool creative agency River Motion Group
Judith Jones, director of Liverpool John Moores University’s Film School
Phil Halpin, owner and co-founder Mocha, who created the It’s Liverpool campaign film
Lynn Saunders, manager of the Liverpool Film Office
Ms Saunders said: “We’re so lucky to have someone of David’s calibre as part of a really strong judging panel with wide experience which is a testament to the aims of the It’s Liverpool campaign.
“Liverpool has a rich cultural heritage and a great pool of talent just waiting to be uncovered. We hope that through It’s Liverpool On Film we can give some up-and-coming film-makers a chance to share the limelight with established industry talent.
“Liverpool is the most filmed in the UK outside of London, but we want it to be seen through different eyes. The films can be funny, beautiful, sad, poetic, inspiring, musical, challenging or unconventional as long as it’s Liverpool.
“It doesn’t matter if entrants have never made a film or even held a camera, because we want to hear new voices and see images and aspects of Liverpool that are original, personal and surprising.”
