Examples of animation on the LAFTAs shortlist.

[Lisa Stevens]

Thought some of you might be interested to check out the 'shortlist' for the finals of the LAFTAs.

The Language and Film Talent Awards (LAFTAs) is a competition for 13-21 year olds, run by CILT, the National Centre for Languages. Over the course of the competition, CILT asked young people to send in two-minute videos showing why languages are important.

CILT received over 160 entries from all across the UK, showing why we need languages: from being lost in a foreign country, to meeting the love of your life, to being attacked by sharks, cannibals or dragons…

The deadline for this year’s competition has now passed, but you still have the chance to get involved by joining in the ‘People’s Vote’, hosted by Multilingualvacancies.com. Vote on your favourite clips from the CILT shortlist and see how your favourites compare with the views of our celebrity judging panel, including Sir Trevor McDonald and comedian Eddie Izzard.

The winner of the ‘People’s Vote’ will receive a special prize sponsored by Multilingualvacancies.com at the LAFTAs awards ceremony, taking place in London in September 2008.

There are 25 videos up for the vote - including various examples of pupils using animation skills.

Here are a couple of examples of animation using plasticine.



And what about this one that uses Happy Street figures from the ELC?


Or the Lego Legends?


There are many more examples (including ones that didn't make the shortlist) on the Routes into Languages Youtube page including Slug and Shark


So pop along to register your votes! You don't have to be able to speak a foreign language to enjoy them ;o)