Lights, camera, action...

THE inargural 'Open Door Film Festival' was launched in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle.

Mike Kelly of the Young Irish Film Makers introduced the festival for disadvataged areas in the South East as an attempt to bridge the 'digital divide' that is opening in society.

Young people of all ages from all around the region descended on the lush surrounds of the Castle to view each other's work.

The varied imaginations of the participants was very evident from the comic and scary to the downright surreal.

The standout film was definitely 'What Goes Around Comes Around' from Northside Youth Cafe, Moyross Co Limerick who travelled through the floods to be at the festival.

Also of note was the excellent 'The Hole' by Kilkenny's Newpark Family Resource Centre (FRC) which was an extremely clever film made by a very young group.

Organisers are hoping that next year's festival will include even more work of this calibre.

A number of awards were presented including Best Senior Film - Mouse Factor (Bagenalstown FRC); Best Junior Film- Gum! (Loughboy Area Resouce Centre); Best Cinematography - The Hole (Newpark FRC); Best Comedy - Claus-O-Phobia (Father McGrath Centre); Best Story - Bully (Newpark FRC); Best Overall Film - What Goes Around Comes Around (Northside Youth Cafe); Audience Award - What Goes Around Comes Around (Northside Youth Cafe).