Pompey Pirates encourage budding filmmakers to bring tales of nautical adventures to the big screen with help from university students

The literary skills group celebrated a successful year for its first cohort as 75 Pompey Pirates showcased their cinematic work at the University of Portsmouth.

Portsmouth children aged from nine to 13 years old worked on their end-of-year film projects with the university’s School of Film, Media and Communication.

Youngsters wrote and performed their own scripts before turning their work into short films with the support of university students.

The films were premiered at the university’s Eldon building on Thursday to give the children and their families the opportunity to see their work on a big screen.

Children were also given a tour of the university’s facilities, and an awards ceremony was held.

Natasha Turner, captain and COO of The Pompey Pirates, said: ‘It was really good fun, I think the children really enjoyed themselves.

‘We had a few parents come along and really enjoyed what the children have been working on.’

The films were pirated-themed as the children were asked to create a story about a main character who receives a letter that sends them off on a quest.

Natasha said: ‘We gave them a structure and then let their imaginations run wild.

‘We had sinister and creepy films with ghosts and caves, as well as stories about running into mermaids and being attacked by krakens in adventure films.

‘There was lots of creativity and imagination.’

SEE ALSO: Team of ‘hardworking’ volunteers from Leigh Park take care of local woodland by tidying up park

The film is the third and final project that the children will have completed as part of their year-long programme with The Literacy Hubs as part of the Pompey Pirates programme.

Natasha added: ‘This was our final celebration for our cohort of children in this academic year.

‘It was our third project, as we also created a book of short stories, and radio shows that went out on Express FM.’

These radio shows included speeches focussed on the children’s research into the environmental impact of palm oil.

Natasha said: ‘It was a really nice chance to share the children’s work with the families.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to our online coverage, including Pompey, with 70 per cent fewer adverts for less than 20p a day.