Film-makers unimpressed with YouTube movies

Most of YouTube’s amateur movies should end up on the cutting-room floor, professional film-makers said today.

At the launch of a major film festival critics praised the internet website for liberating the art form but questioned if it was a case of quantity not quality.

The annual Darklight Film Festival Symposium in Dublin’s Temple Bar will host screenings of cutting edge movies, while workshops will discuss new trends, including the impact of the internet.

“The Darklight Symposium has become a highlight of Dublin’s cultural calendar for anyone interested in film, digital media, and the arts,” said Darklight Director Nicky Gogan.

“This is the eighth year of Darklight and once again it is the home for discussion and debate.

“For example, with the arrival of YouTube, anyone can go online and broadcast themselves to the world. Although this level of accessibility is liberating, it raises questions about quality versus quantity.”

The festival is an annual celebration of new practices in film making and art and takes place from June 21-24.

Themes include the future of TV, game and film convergence, digital archiving, exhibition and distribution of film.

BAFTA nominated animator Chris Shepherd will give a talk at the Irish Film Institute on Friday 22nd June, at a screening of his most acclaimed past work along with his new film ’Silence is Golden’.

A YouTube Salon will allow users to mix between streaming YouTube videos, in what organisers say will be Djing with movies.

“Once again, Darklight is breaking new ground, putting Dublin on the map as a centre of excellence in this ever evolving sector,” said Nicky Gogan.

Further information is available at www.darklight.ie or Tel [phone].