Top Dog

AFU animation member Pierre Leveque scooped the prestigious National Young Filmmakers’ Award and a first prize of £250 in the under-14 category at the Leeds Young People’s Film Festival in April. The winning film, which beat ten other finalists, was Pierre’s witty 2008 claymation, ‘Oh No My Dog’. According to its website, ‘The National Young Filmmakers’ Award (NYFA) showcases the best new filmmaking talent in the UK and presents the best short films from the movie geniuses of the future.’ Heady stuff! In the 15-19 category, Matt Copson’s splendid 2008 doc ‘Perception’ – about the experiences of blind and partially sighted students at a special school in Kent  – made it to the judges’ final screening selection, although it did not win the NYFA award this time round.