Oscars night at Lordswood Girls' School

Jul 9 2009 by Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

FORGET the red carpet and glittering showbiz nights in Los Angeles – the Oscars came to Birmingham to show off the creative talents of some of the city’s schoolchildren.

The Kodak Theater in Los Angeles was replaced by the gymnasium at Lordswood Girls’ School in Harborne.

But there was no let-up in the excitement as 15 film and video awards were presented by an illustrious panel comprising broadcasters Arti Halai and Anita Bhalla, Birmingham Mail editor Steve Dyson, Heart FM presenter Ed James and chairman of governors Kevin Johnson.

After sitting through the 15 films that made up the ‘Oscar’ nominations at Lordswood Girls’, the judges presented prizes to the winners in categories ranging from best documentary and best music video, to best film, best cinematography and best editing.

Mr Johnson, who is also managing director of a communications company, said: “Lordswood has had media arts status for about five years, and we have held Oscars nights to celebrate that every year.

“It is a chance for pupils, not just from our school but from our feeder primary schools as well, to show what they can do.

“We have seen about 15 films and the standard has been excellent.

“I personally presented the best film category which went to a film called Her. It was a compelling movie, with tremendous acting, about a young girl who was having problems with an intimidating father figure.”

The school recently hosted an edition of BBC Radio 4 quiz Any Questions, hosted by broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, who also opened the school’s new radio studio.