I WOULD like to make your readers aware of a new film competition that has been launched for children and young people to help raise awareness of Type 1 diabetes in school.

The Diabetes in School Short Film Competition is open to all students aged 11 to 17 in my home country of Wales who are invited to submit a film, of no more than three minutes long, sharing their experiences of living with diabetes at school.

The competition is a great way for any local young budding Steven Spielbergs or Danny Boyles to develop and hone their skills as well as promote a very important health message in schools.

Getting involved is really easy.

Participants just need to get permission from their school to take part, and before they get going will need to think about the genre of the film, equipment they may need and where they would like to shoot the film.

But the main thing I’ve learnt as an avid film fan and an actress, working on a number of different films, is that you need to have a clear idea of what you want your film to say, and how you want your audience to feel.

Having lived with Type 1 diabetes for over 10 years, I’m very excited to be on the judging panel for the competition and I’m really looking forward to seeing the films children and young people in Pembrokeshire create.

The competition will help to make a huge difference to the lives of thousands of children and young people across the country who are living with diabetes.

To apply to take part in the Diabetes in School Short Film Competition and get more tips go to: http://www.

diabetes.org.uk/short-filmcompetition

ELINOR CRAWLEY

Diabetes UK Cymru