NEWS
TALENTED KENT STUDENTS AMONG FINALISTS FOR THE 2023 BAFTA YOUNG GAME DESIGNERS COMPETITION
KATE WEST MARCUS KORNIOTIS HARRY POOLE
BAFTA has unveiled the 44 talented finalists , aged between 10 and 18 , for this year ’ s BAFTA Young Game Designers ( YGD ) competition , with three local teens among the shortlist competing for a oncein-a-lifetime experience with top game makers and industry professionals .
Kate West ( 17 ) from Tonbridge and Marcus Korniotis ( 17 ) from Rochester have both been selected in the Game Concept category for their games ‘ Dicing with Destiny ’ and ‘ Balloon Mania ’ respectively . ‘ Dicing with Destiny ’ follows an aspiring chef who accidentally cursed himself to transform into a beast each night and refuses to give up on his
dreams , using his newfound abilities to manage his restaurant in the day while foraging for resources at night . Meanwhile , ‘ Balloon Mania ’ is a multiplayer game that sees cartoon balloon men fight one another in a quirky and slapstick style . In addition , 12-yearold Harry Poole has been shortlisted for the prestigious Game Making Award , for his game ‘ Samurai Turtle ’ – a challenging platformer game in which the titular samurai turtle parkours through levels of increasing difficulty , collecting coins and outwitting their enemies .
Kate West said : “ Being a YGD finalist is so special ! I am really looking forward to meeting other people who are passionate about the craft of game design , and seeing for myself all the pathways that my imagination can take me .”
Marcus Korniotis said : “ The part I am most looking forward to as a YGD finalist is receiving constructive feedback on how to improve my work and ideas . This is an amazing learning opportunity that will no doubt lead to my growth as a creative .”
Harry Poole said : “ I am very proud of my game as it includes complex mechanics . To have become a BAFTA YGD finalist is a great honour and I can ’ t wait to play all the finalists ’ games .”
SIDEWAYS MEDIA NOMINATED FOR THREE AWARDS AT THE KBPA !
© Paul Coltas
LORNA MORRIS
Sideways Media are delighted to have been declared finalists for two very prestigious awards at the Kent Press and Broadcast Awards 2023 . Lorna Morris , creative designer across insideKENT , A Kentish Ceremony , Kent Staycation and the Wine Garden of England Handbook , is a finalist in the Kent Designer of the Year category , and both insideKENT and Kent Staycation are finalists in the Kent Magazine of the Year category .
Now in their ninth year , the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards ( KPBA ), organised by Tunbridge Wells-based PR , marketing and public affairs agency Maxim , are a not-forprofit awards scheme designed to celebrate and reward the county ' s media .
Rachel Knight , director at Maxim , said : “ In this constantly connected world where news is instantaneous , it ’ s easy to overlook the
importance of the local journalist , who keeps their eyes and ears on the ground and highlights the important stories from our area , reminding us the news in our road or town is just as important as that taking place elsewhere in the world .
“ It ’ s the county ’ s journalists who hold local councils and businesses to account and champion the cause of individuals , and it is these journalists and their dedication to their community who we are celebrating in these awards .”
The winners of 2023 ’ s awards will be announced at a glittering ceremony at The Spitfire Ground St Lawrence in Canterbury on Friday 14 July 2023 . Visit kpbawards . co . uk for further information and a full list of finalists .
BROMLEY TO WELCOME STRICTLY ’ S CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD
Michael Harrison and David Ian have announced that Craig Revel Horwood will star as ‘ Miss Hannigan ’ in the UK and Ireland Tour of their smash hit production of the musical ANNIE arriving at The Churchill Theatre , Bromley from Mon 24 to Sat 29 Jul 2023 .
Probably best known as a judge on all 20 series of BBC1 ’ s Strictly Come Dancing , Horwood returns to the part of Miss Hannigan having played the role to critical acclaim in this production in both the West End and on tour . His other West End Theatre credits include Munkustrap in Cats , Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal , Drury Lane and Harry in Crazy For You at the Prince Edward Theatre . Craig directed and choreographed Strictly Ballroom The Musical which is currently touring the UK and Ireland , and the 2016 / 17 tour of Sister Act The Musical as well as the Strictly Come Dancing Live ! tour . He also choreographed the film Paddington 2 .
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