YOUNG film makers of the future will be putting their skills to the test next week at a series of video and animation workshops.

The Ritz Cinema, in Thirsk, has teamed up with Rural Arts North Yorkshire to put on the half-term events for 24 local teenagers.

The pilot scheme has proved so successful that it is already fully booked.

The youngsters will be working with Cube Media, York, and Rural Arts, to produce two short works of film and animation.

The works will then be premiered at the Ritz, at a public screening on Saturday, November 2.

As well as the screening of the work, it is also hoped there will be an opportunity to view film and animation produced by other groups of young people.

That will be followed by a discussion session involving the students and Margaret Matheson, the film producer of It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet fame.

l Rural Arts is also hosting a launch event at the Old Courthouse, Thirsk, on October 24 during the filming week, when there will be a chance to see the youngsters working on their film projects.