FILM-MAKERS in Barnet are being encouraged to show off their creativity in a short film competition.

Film London in 90 Seconds: Capital Tales gives wannabe directors in each London borough the chance to win a cash prize and the opportunity to have their film screened before a public audience in 2011.

The competition, run in partnership with the London Borough of Barnet, Film London and Hendon Times, has been launched in Barnet as well as ten other boroughs across the capital.

The film, which must not exceed 90 seconds, can be on any subject but topic suggestions include: Hidden London, Changing Times, Breaking Down the Walls and Flying High.

Entries can be filmed using any medium, from the most sophisticated digital video and the latest mobile phone technology to the most basic low-fi equipment. Applicants, who must either be a resident or studying in the borough, are split into an under 20s and over 20s category and the winner of each will win £250.

Entries will be judged by a panel of council officers and representatives from Film London, Barnet Council, the Phoenix Cinema and Hendon Times. A panel of film industry professionals will choose an overall winner and the film will be shown during a presentation in summer 2011.

Adrian Wootton, chief executive of Film London, said: “Despite these challenging economic times, with the support of the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency the fund demonstrates our solid commitment to discover and nurture creative talent and the film-makers of tomorrow.”

Last year’s winner for Barnet, student Elishama Udorok, went on to become the overall winner for London for his short film Crazy in Barnet which documented life in the borough through a mixture of free running, skateboarding and football scenes.

Elishama, 18, who has been involved in a number of film projects since winning the competition, said: “I always thought that I would need a top of the range camera and expensive editing suite to make a video that would be respected by those beyond my closest friends and family – winning this award proved me wrong.

“I hope more and more young people grab this great opportunity to share and put their ideas in motion.”

Councillor Andrew Harper, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for education, children and families, said: “Barnet is a wonderfully diverse borough and this competition allows people of all ages to show us their London. I look forward to seeing the entries.”

To help participants make the most of their talent Film London will be running free film-making workshops run by professional film-makers in each borough.

To enter the competition before the deadline on March 18, 2011, or for more information visit www.barnet.gov.uk/film-competition