Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats

LEMBIT LANDS DREAM ROLE IN BOLLYWOOD FILM "DREAM GIRL"

It's been Lights, Camera, BOLLYWOOD in Mid Wales this summer as FILM 15 Productions unveiled its Bollywood High project to young people in the area. Starting in August, the 58 strong group of lucky participants was involved in the production of a Bollywood inspired short film called "Dream Girl."

The project offered young people from Mid Wales an opportunity to get valuable industry experience and to work with a range of skilled industry professionals to produce the film.

Lembit said: "It was top class film-making in a Mid-Wales setting. Filming took place in three locations across Mid Wales with a significant part of the production being done at Aberystwyth University in their specially designed film studios.

"The young people learnt about Bollywood acting/dancing under the expert guidance of Bollywood actor Mayur Raj Verma, and veteran celebrated Bollywood writer and director Sneh Lata Verma, with professional choreographer Hema Houssin.

"FILM 15 Productions took a further 20 young people on to the film production team where they learnt how to operate professional equipment and gain an insight into the film industry first hand."

The production also involved celebrity guests who were called upon to do cameo roles, including Mayur Raj Verma, Green Wing actor Julian Rhind Tutt and, of course, Montgomeryshire MP Lembit Öpik.

The film "Dream Girl' is an endearing tale of a boy's first love with a Bollywood twist. Lembit offered to help the young people with their film after being involved in their local film festival "The Pink Snowball Awards", over the previous three years. Inspired by his summer of filmmaking, Lembit has made his own short film to enter in to the film competition this year too.

FILM 15 Productions developed and delivered this project to bring something unique to the area and to young people. The film is set to be premiered at the film Awards night on the 25th of October in Machynlleth to a selective audience. Both Mayur Raj Verma and Sneh lata Verma will also be at the awards to celebrate the young people's achievements.

Commenting more generally on the project, Lembit said:

"The full scale Bollywood dance production in the film should raise some eyebrows in our town. I had great fun taking part in this exciting project which brought together different expressions of culture and provided such a valuable experience and insight into the film-making world for so many youngsters in Mid Wales. I am delighted to have been able to support such pioneering work."

Lembit hams it up for Bollywood role!

Dan Thomas, Audience Development Manager of the Film Agency for Wales commented:

"Innovative, ambitious, and culturally significant, this is a project which is very important to the local areas of Mid Wales. It will provide Young people from different backgrounds with an amazing opportunity to get involved in a Bollywood production, and give them a chance to learn about the conventions, language and traditions of the genre. That's why we were so keen to ensure that the Film Agency for Wales could offer support."

Emma Macey-Storch, Director of FILM 15 Productions, said:

"I am so pleased we have been able to get this initiative off the ground and offer such a wonderful opportunity to so many young people living in Mid Wales. Having Mayur and Sneh living on our doorstep has presented us with an unmissable opportunity to engage with one of the biggest film industry's in the world while at the same time being able to offer young people in the area skill development and links to the film industry. I am a huge fan of Bollywood and believe this has been a fun and engaging experience for everyone."

Ends/diwedd

Notes to editor:

For more information please contact Emma Macey-Storch on info@film15.org.uk. Dream Girl was funded by The Peter Saunders Trust, The Welsh Broadcasting Trust and The Film Agency For Wales.

FILM 15 Productions Ltd specialises in the research, development, delivery and exhibition of film related activities for young people in Mid Wales. We work with local venues, schools and communities to develop filmmaking activities, so as to give young people in the area a creative voice and help them develop real skills that can enhance their mainstream education, improve their profile in their communities or help them make career links with the film industry. Please see www.film15.org.uk

Bollywood High is kindly funded by The Peter Saunders Trust, The Welsh Broadcasting Trust and The Film Agency For Wales with thanks to Aberystwyth University, VMI, Channel 405, PVP television Systems for their contribution of equipment and studios.