The Clapperboard Awards returns to Liverpool

The highly regarded Clapperboard Awards return tonight with a star studded ceremony in the Capstone Theatre. This year the awards are hosted by actress Jessica Forrest, from TV shows such as Hollyoaks and Coronation Street, and actor Neil Fitzmaurice of Phoenix Nights and Peep Show fame.

Clapperboard UK’s film-making youth project is non for profit and relies wholeheartedly on funding and sponsorship. The project aims to bring creativity in to education through exciting film making initiatives and they work very closely with different schools, youth services and professionals from across the TV and film industry.

The awards are to celebrate the work and achievements of the young people across Greater Manchester and Merseyside, who have created six short films exploring issues such as hate crime, identity, community, finance and disability. The awards offer these young people the chance to come together and display their work and possibly win a Clapperboard award from one of their on-screen idols.

Host Jessica Forrest explains the importance of projects like the Clapperboard youth project, saying: “I am absolutely delighted to be asked to co-host this year’s awards ceremony. Clapperboard is a fantastic company that gives young people an insight to the film industry. It allows young people to come together and raise awareness of youth culture and issues both in front of and behind the lens.”

This year’s judges include award-winning writers Frank Cottrell-Boyce (24 Hour Party People, Dr Who) and Nicola Shindler (Scott & Bailey, The Driver), actor Josh Bolt (Nowhere Boy, Last Tango in Halifax) and ex Clapperboard volunteer Amy Campbell, who has gone on to work at Lime Pictures, ITV and the BBC.

The judges will be joined by a host of local actors and celebrities tonight who continue to support the Clapperboard project, including recently honoured Ricky Tomlinson, who received the Freedom of the City earlier this week, as well as Sasha Parkinson, Ciaran Griffiths, Tina Malone and Tommy Lawrence Knight.

Organiser and Director of Clapperboard UK, Maureen Sinclair, says: “I’m overwhelmed at the calibre of support that we have. We couldn’t achieve what we do without our many sponsors and partners, presenters, jury members and the participation of our young extremely talented film-makers. I’m extremely grateful to all.”