If a good read is your thing, and if you or your mates are into making films, Karen Griffiths of Flit180 is organising a fantastic new competition inspired by the Teenage Reading Group she has been working with at Highworth library.

“One of my readers is an award-winning film director, so we decided to merge the worlds of film and literature in an exciting and original way, to bring young people together,” said Karen.

The two age categories will be 14 to 16 years and 17 to 19 years, and the entry fee of £5 includes submission to the Create Studios Preloader 2012 competition, as well as the regional heats of the Swindon Young Filmmakers’ competition 2012, subject to requirements.

“All entrants will also be granted free membership to Create Studios young people’s group YourMedia, with opportunities to attend conferences and media training events, which would be a great way to kick-start a media career,” said Karen.

The top three films from each age category will be featured at the Arts Centre during the Swindon Festival of Literature, and one of the entries may be chosen to be showcased on Big Screen Swindon.

“If we are successful this year we hope to run it as an annual event with funding from the Arts Council and Princes Trust to make it bigger,” said Karen.”

The winning entry in each category will receive £50, with £20 going to the runners-up, and a commemorative copy of the novel on which the film was based.

To enter, choose a published novel or short story that has made an impact on you and turn it into a three minute film.

Submit the film on mini-DV or as a clearly labelled data file (.mov) indicating aspect ratio to Create Studios, by Wednesday 15 February. More details at: www.flit180.co.uk