Commended Teen Film Critic Gets Media Opportunity

A teenage film critic who has impressed judges in a review competition - linked to a fast growing UK regional film festival – is to begin work experience in a local radio station.

Sixteen-year-old Adele Oates, a pupil at Belfast Royal Academy, impressed judges with her review of the movie, Amelie, submitted during the Northern Ireland Cinemagic Film Critic of the Year competition.

She was 'highly commended' in the contest, which was open to young people who attended the Ulster Cinemagic Festival screenings last November.

In fact, Adele was also heavily involved in the 2007 Cinemagic Festival, participating in the jury panel of 15-18 year olds and also in the radio production masterclass with local radio presenter, Marc Mallett.

She is due to start a work experience placement in Belfast's Citybeat radio station next month, where Marc is a broadcaster.

The Co Antrim teenager is currently studying for AS Level exams in sociology, history, English literature and RE.

Apart from her love of films and radio, Adele enjoys playing the alto saxophone, writing, reading, art, netball and going to gigs.

Adele described Amelie, the film she reviewed for the competition, as "exquisite" – but said she has a long list of favourite movies.

"I really could go on forever," she said. "I love Saving Private Ryan, Ghost, It's a Wonderful Life, Shakespeare in Love and Pearl Harbor - although it has its faults.

"I also really enjoyed The Green Mile, Brokeback Mountain, The Shawshank Redemption, The Great Escape, Forrest Gump, V for Vendetta, Little Miss Sunshine, Atonement, The Notebook and Dirty Dancing, to name just a few."

Cinemagic is a Belfast-based award winning charity that embraces the magic of film, television and digital technologies to educate, motivate and inspire young people through workshops, film screenings and industry led masterclasses.

Established in 1989, it has developed a worldwide reputation for excellence in children's programming and is currently the largest film event for young people in the UK and Ireland, attracting over 20,000 people annually.

See: www.cinemagic.org.uk/news.asp

(BMcC)