2 Hollywood awards for Goole Straight 8!

Two young directors from Goole, who took part in a film-making project at Junction last Spring, are celebrating after their films won awards in the Youth Fest category of the prestigious Hollywood International Family Film Festival.    

"Going Up" won the Best Foriegn Comedy award. Directed by Harvey Griffin (aged 15) and co-written by Sam Pratt it featurs young crew members and actors from Goole.  Harvey gave an acceptance speech live to the Hollywood audience from his home via a live video link. He said he was honoured and “proper chuffed” to win the award!

Pitch perfect performances from Mathew Oldreive Francesca Jackson. PS a little bit of trivia - watch out for my cameo!

going up - a straight 8 film by harvey griffin from straight eight on Vimeo.

Hannah Turner (aged 13) made her first film aged 7. Her film “Man from the Moon” was awarded finalist for Best Foreign Drama and combines animation with live action. It again used a young cast and crew from Goole supported by a terrific performance by Alec Cark (aged 77) who travelled from Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire to play the title role. He said, “Great news about Hollywood. I knew I'd get there one day!”  For experience for Hannah has been life changing. She said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed the entire process and it has encouraged me to continue making films and pursue a career in film making. I would also like to thank everyone who helped me to make this possible. I am really 'over the moon'"


man from the moon - a straight 8 film by hannah turner from straight eight on Vimeo.

Charlie Studdy, Arts & Leisure Manager at Junction said ‘We are immensely proud of what these young people have achieved; they really put so much hard work into the planning and creativity in these films.  I’m delighted that they have won awards in Hollywood, a great opportunity for two teenagers from Goole to showcase the fantastic talents the youth of Goole has to offer.’ 

The film making project was made possible by a grant from Screen Yorkshire and UK film Council through the Regional Investment Fund for England.  Sally Joynson, Chief Executive at Screen Yorkshire, said: “This is an amazing achievement for these young filmmakers – to win International Film Awards in Hollywood shows how Yorkshire and Humber is a hotbed of filmmaking talent across all ages. I’d like to congratulate both teams on this brilliant success, next stop the OSCARs!”

Congratulations everyone!