Mediabox, the £6 million Department for Education and Skills fund for disadvantaged 13-19 year olds to make media projects, has awarded organisations in the region a total of £112,980 in the first round of funding. The panel judged a total of 65 entries for the production of youth led media projects from across the country. A final 18 were chosen, and three of these are in the South West of England including White Lantern Film.

White Lantern Film in Bournemouth received their award for a project called 'Pier Pressure'. Adam Merrifield from White Lantern Film said: 'Pier Pressure is a great opportunity for young people in Bournemouth to create films about their lives with professional training and support, all for free thanks to the Mediabox award.' The project will explore the pressures of teenage life in the seaside tourist destination of Bournemouth. Three groups of young people will work alongside experienced film makers to produce three short films that capture their seaside lifestyle. Each film will explore the pressures they face growing up in a tourist's world, revealing how the impact of their local industry shapes their future as pressures of image and money are intensified and fun and enjoyment is paramount.

Caroline Norbury, Chief Executive of South West Screen, the development agency for film, TV and digital media in the region, said: 'It's fantastic that our region has received three awards in the first round of Mediabox funding and we wish all the young people involved success. The next deadline to apply for Mediabox funding is 22 May so we encourage anyone interested in applying to attend a roadshow we've organized in Bristol on 1 May, which should tell you everything you need to know to apply'.