'My Earliest Childhood Memory' is May's Film of the Month

We're pleased to announce that our Film of the Month winner for May 2016 is My Earliest Childhood Memory by 19-year old filmmaker Bethany, from the University for the Creative Arts.

Bethany's film is a nostalgic stop motion piece documenting three people's recollection of their earliest childhood memories, suitable for 5+. Each tale has its own animated story, and the characters were hand-drawn, coloured, and cut out by Bethany herself, with parts of the animation achieved using eight green screens.

We spoke to Bethany about her winning entry: "I am really excited to have won as I really didn't expect to! I like to make stop motion animation and the first one I ever made was 3 years ago. I really liked looking at different animations and the idea of making things come to life. Then I spent a long time looking at different videos on you tube and I though I really want to have a go so I did!"

Bethany also offered some advice to aspiring younger filmmakers: "Just have a go, you don't need expensive equipment or to be taught you just need to want to do something. I started because I saw something that inspired me and I just wanted to try it. I had never done anything like it before and everything has been self taught, but I really enjoyed it so carried on and now I am hoping to study animation at university. Just because you haven't been told how to do something or have never done it before, it doesn't matter you just have to be enthusiastic because that really helps with the final thing! You also do not need really expensive equipment. For example my first animation I used my dad's cheap pocket camera and used a tiny desk in my bedroom. Cameras are really cheap now and many people have phones they can film on so there really is no excuse to give it ago!"

I really like the different animation techniques used in this film - it demonstrates some great technical ability and it is pleasure to watch. The uncomplicated sounds effects and dialogue work well together to create a feeling of simplicity and reflection.
Film of the Month Judge, on 'My Earliest Childhood Memory'

Bethany's film will now be showcased to over 300,000 film club members online and on the Into Film YouTube channel, and she also secured a £100 Amazon voucher plus an Into Film goodie bag with which to help further develop her future films. If you've been inspired by May's winner, find out more about how you can enter our ongoing Film of the Month competition.

If you liked My Earliest Childhood Memory, why not try these related films:

Up! (Recommended for 5+) Childhood dreams and adventurous schemes are honoured in this tale of an old man who seizes his chance to go exploring after a lifetime of waiting for the right moment.

Inside Out (Recommended for 7+) The power of memories and the importance of the emotions attached to them are explored in this clever animation about a young girl dealing with a big move.

Filming Our Greatest Generation (Recommended for 7+) This BBC documentary showcases interviews with people about their experiences of living through the Second World War, captured by young people and illustrated with archive footage and tips from professional documentary filmmakers.

Coleur de Peau: Miel (Approved for Adoption) (Recommended for 11+) Animated documentary from a graphic novelist who was adopted by a Belgian family from Korea when he was five years old, who is trying to make sense of his identity by reconnecting with his memories.

Persepolis (Recommended for 11+) Stylised animation based on her autobiographical graphic novel, this film captures a young girl's transition into a rebellious teenager against the backdrop of a country that is becoming increasingly repressive.