Writing your own special story could win you a trip to Italy.

South Africa is the first African country to be invited to participate in the Ciak (pronounced Chuck) Junior competition. Ciak Junior is an international TV project that originated in Italy in 1990 and exposes children to hands on television productions, making television interesting and appropriate for children from an educational aspect.

The competition gives children aged between 10 and 15, the chance to write their story in any language about an event that changed their lives, anything important to them, about their family, friends or community. Educators and parents may guide the children but definitely not write the story.

Lya Mrasi, Brand Manager at SABC Education 'Our production people will visit the winning school and together with the children they will workshop the winning story into a film script. The original story submitted will be respected at all times. SABC Education will be at the service of the children. The writers of the story will be the heroes of the story with no auditions, actors will be chosen by classmates, and children must act the role of children and not adults'.

The winning children are involved all the way, learning about scripts, shoots, editing and making a film. When the film is finished it will be sent to Ciak Junior in Italy to be judged with the others from around the world. South Africa's film will be shown on School TV on SABC2 during May 2004. The winners will be flown to Italy to a town in the north called Treviso at the end of May. There the winners will attend the Ciak Award Ceremony and meet other young film makers from around the world and see beautiful Italy.

Closing dates for entries is 27 February 2004, entry forms for this magnificent competition are available by dialling 086 712 2394 or visiting www.sabceducation.co.za

submitted by
Ingrid Bruynse
bruynsei@sabc.co.za

SABC Education

Media Release
1 December 2003