Liverpool Icon Alison Steadman to Attend and Support Clapperboard's Award Ceremony

The highly-regarded Clapperboard Awards Ceremony is to return to Liverpool this year hosted by Liverpool actor, comedian and writer Neil Fitzmaurice (Going Off Big Time, Phoenix Nights, Peep Show, Mount Pleasant) and this year in attendance is special guest presenter Liverpool film and television icon Alison Steadman (Nuts in May, Abigail's Party, Shirley Valentine, Topsy Turvey, Life is Sweet, Singing Detective, Fat Friends, Gavin and Stacey).

The prestigious awards ceremony will once again take place at Liverpool Hope University's Capstone Theatre on Tue 4 April 2017.

Young adults from across Merseyside have been involved in a whole production process from script to screen to deliver a number of diverse short films exploring issues such as mental health and autism. They come together with their families and friends to display their work and achievements with the chance of winning a Clapperboard Award and to meet their on-screen idols.

On the awards evening a host of actors from the world of film and television will give up their time to support the Clapperboard project and present an award to the young film-makers, including Ricky Tomlinson (Royle Family, Hillsborough), Kieron Bimpson (Justice, Vera, Being Keegan), John Henshaw (Early Doors, Angels Share, Looking for Eric) and Hollyoaks cast, The Loveday Family:

Actress Alison Steadman said "As a patron of Clapperboard and a huge fan of its charitable work across the North West, I'm delighted that I am able to attend this year's Awards Ceremony to present the special Alison Steadman Award for active citizenship. I'm also looking forward to visiting the wonderful City of my birth".

Host actor/writer Neil Fitzmaurice said "I'm extremely happy to be able to host this special event once again. Clapperboard is a great award-winning community filmmaking charity tackling many difficult issues that young people and their communities face. There should be no stigma attached to mental health or autism issues as many people either suffer from this or know someone who has".

This year's judges include acclaimed writer Frank Cottrell Boyce (Millions, 24 Hour Party People, Dr Who) award-winning actor Ricky Tomlinson, Board Member, Perrilena Alleyne-Hughes (Teacher & Director of Sense of Sound) and ex Clapperboard volunteer and Hollyoaks Technical Runner Mari Jones.

Actor Ricky Tomlinson said "It was an honour and a pleasure to be given the task of judging this year's selection of short films.... And also very difficult! Clapperboard is a wonderful charity that helps to give people a voice. Long may it continue, my congratulations to everybody involved in all of the films for their hard work and talent."

Clapperboard UK's film-making youth project is now in its eleventh year working with young people across the North West. The project is non-profit making and relies totally on funding and sponsorship.

Organiser and Director of Clapperboard UK, Maureen Sinclair said "I'm overwhelmed at the calibre of support that we have. We couldn't achieve what we do without our many sponsors and partners, presenters, jury members and the participation of our young extremely talented young film-makers. I'm extremely grateful to all."

This year's partners and sponsors include: Big Lottery, PH Holt, Mersey Care/NHS, Sefton Council, Sefton CCG's, Sefton Carers Centre, Sefton Creative Hubs, Autism Initiatives, Atkinsons, Lime Pictures, Liverpool Echo, Liverpool Film Studios, Liverpool Film Office, Firestyle Magazine, Forward Culture, EventSinc, Ma Boyle's, Hope Street Hotel, Liverpool Hope University, Bill Elms Associates, among others.

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