Young film fanatic’s chance to meet stars

A FILM fanatic school pupil has a golden ticket to interview her idols after beating 100,000 other children in a nationwide competition.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Nov 2014, 13:57 BST
Orchards Middle School pupil Olivia Davidson has a golden ticket to interview the stars after making a film organisation's interviewer shortlist SUS-141114-152117001Orchards Middle School pupil Olivia Davidson has a golden ticket to interview the stars after making a film organisation's interviewer shortlist SUS-141114-152117001
Orchards Middle School pupil Olivia Davidson has a golden ticket to interview the stars after making a film organisation's interviewer shortlist SUS-141114-152117001

Orchards Middle School pupil Olivia Davidson interviewed Harry Potter and Maleficent actress Imelda Staunton on Thursday, months after chatting with Ugly Betty star America Ferrera.

The ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunities came after she made a 12-pupil shortlist through film education charity Into Film earlier this year.

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Orchards film club leader Lizzie Warne said: “Olivia is one of the happiest, most positive children I have ever met.

“She bounces into film club and really interacts with the film.

“These interviews are the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Olivia made the Into Film shortlist after she was nominated by Lizzie and had to travel to London to audition.

From an 100,000 membership, she made the final 12 and can be called for any projects Into Film require an interviewer for.

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She hosted the question and answer session with Imelda Staunton, who was joined by fellow actress, Lesley Manville, in Islington, after a screening of film, Maleficent.

She also made a shortlist of two to interview Benedict Cumberbatch in Los Angeles, only for the trip to be cancelled at the last minute.

The 11-year-old said: “Interviewing Imelda Staunton was really scary but I was ok in the end. She and Lesley were really nice and answered all my questions really well.

“It is amazing interviewing the stars because when you think of them, you think they only exist on the TV. It’s great to actually meet them.”

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Confident Olivia has seemingly made a lasting impression on her interviewees, with America Ferrera, in particular, warming to her.

Lizzie said: “The feedback I have had from Into Film is that she is absolutely amazing and America herself waxed lyrical about her.”

Olivia’s next assignment is to be a roving reporter at the BAFTA Children’s Awards, where she hopes to meet more acting stars.

She will travel to London on Sunday for the event.

For more information about Into Film, visit www.intofilm.org

The Orchards is hosting an open evening on Thursday, November 27, at 7pm.

Visit www.sparkleatorchards.com

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