The Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages at Oxford University is looking for budding film enthusiasts in Years 7-11 and 12-13 to embrace the world of French cinema. To enter the competition, students in each age group are asked to re-write the ending of a film in no more than 1500 words.
You can work in English or French. No additional credit will be given for writing in French, but incorrect French grammatical expression will not be penalised: this is an exercise in creativity, rather than language!
The judges are looking for plausible yet imaginative new endings. There are no restrictions as to the form the entry might take: screen-play, play-script, prose, prose with illustrations. We’d also love to see filmed YouTube entries: feel free to experiment!
For 2017 we are inviting you to choose one film, either classic or contemporary, as per your age bracket:
Years 7-11:
Jean de Florette (1986, dir. Claude Berri) [PG]
OR
MicMacs à tire-larigot (2009, dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet) [12A]
Years 12-13:
Paris nous appartient (1961, dir. Jacques Rivette) [12]
OR
Microbe et Gasoil (2015, dir. Michel Gondry) [15]
Prize: A first prize of £100 will be awarded to the winning student in each age group, with runner-up prizes of £25.
Further details: For further details about entering the competition (including the points in each film where we’d like you to take up the story), see the FAQs. Each essay should be accompanied by a cover sheet.
Submission and Deadline: Essays and cover sheets should be submitted by email to [email protected] by noon on 31 March 2017.