Two Birmingham teenagers came face to face with some of the biggest names in movies when they were chosen to report from the red carpet at the BAFTA Film Awards in London.
Zara Rahim, aged 15, and Aanisah Sherbaz, 14, from Hodge Hill Girls School, joined seasoned reporters and film critics at the Royal Opera House, where stars including Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Samuel L Jackson, J K Rowling and Emma Watson attended the awards ceremony.
Zara and Aanisah were chosen from thousands of members of FILMCLUB, the movies education charity, to conduct the interviews.
They spoke to director Mike Leigh, who was nominated for his film Another Year, Jesse Eisenberg about his role in The Social Network, and to the production team behind The King's Speech, which swept the board at the event.
The girls also picked up interview tips from BBC Entertainment Reporter Lizo Mzimba and grabbed a chat with Girls Aloud star Kimberly Walsh.
The youngsters were thrilled to be the only teenagers to be given access to interview the film stars at the ceremony.
Aanisah said: “Walking up the red carpet in a big gown was absolutely incredible, and interviewing the stars was just so amazing.”
Zara added: “It was a really surreal experience. All the flashing cameras and being right next to celebrities who you’ve watched in films. It was crazy, but really cool.”
Last year the girls interviewed Hollywood heart-throb Zac Efron at the premiere of his film Charlie St Cloud.
The youngsters were given the opportunity in association with BAFTA and through FILMCLUB’s Young Ambassadors programme, which enables young people to attend and report from high profile film industry events.
FILMCLUB offers access to thousands of films for young people and teachers to watch and discuss in their school film clubs. The Young Ambassador scheme offers members a unique access and insight into life behind the camera, and enables young people to represent the charity at high profile film events.
* FILMCLUB is running a free introductory session for teachers in Birmingham on Tuesday, March 22.
To attend or for further information visit www.filmclub.org, email schools@filmclub.org, or call 0207 288 4520.
