Lights, Camera, Parliament! 2011-12
The 2011-12 competition is now open for entries and the final deadline is 26 March 2012. You have the option of completing the project in either the autumn or spring term, but entries received before 16 December 2011 will be considered for a special 'early entries' prize.
To receive regular updates about the competition, including details of new resources, register your interest now.
The project is being hosted on the Radiowaves website, a safe social media site designed specifically for schools and students. Visit the site to watch last year's entries and find out full details of this year's competition.
How to enter
To take part in the competition your students aged 11-16 should submit a short film about a new law they would like to introduce in the UK. They can choose any issue they care about but films must not be more than three minutes long.
Upload your film to the Radiowaves website - you will need to register for a free Radiowaves account first.
Prizes
First prize is an exclusive trip to Pinewood Studios. The winners will tour the studios that have hosted some of the world's best directors, producers and actors, in films from Harry Potter to James Bond to Pirates of the Caribbean.
All finalists will be invited to Parliament for an awards day, where students will present their film to a panel of MPs, Peers and industry professionals. Winning films will also be screened to audiences in Westminster Hall next summer, as part of Parliament's Cultural Olympiad.
The winners of the early entry prize will be able to choose from FILMCLUB's series of films about challenging injustice.
Other prizes include film-making equipment and cinema vouchers.
Online resources
A new resource pack is now available for the 2011/12 competition. It provides a step-by-step guide to Lights, Camera, Parliament!, including lesson plans and learning outcomes, and it is completely free.
Resources about lawmaking
Watch a short video and read about how Parliament's three parts work together to make UK law. And browse our subject guide dedicated to listing the best online resources for explaining how laws are made by Parliament.
Accreditation
Young filmmakers taking part in the competition could get a national qualification for their creativity, leadership and commitment. Specially-developed resources are available to help you offer Arts Award accreditation as part of the Lights, Camera, Parliament! project. Find out how
2010-11 competition
The winner of the Lights, Camera, Parliament! competition was Pauline Quirke Academy, Cheltenham.
Watch the winning film
All of the films in the 2010-11 competition are available to watch on the project's external Radiowaves channel: www.radiowaves.co.uk/lcp