'The Search' is September 2018's Film of the Month

We are very pleased to announce that The Search is the winner of September 2018's Film of the Month competition. Made by a group of girls from The Meadows Primary school in Ketley, the film is a celebration of Vote 100, which marks 100 years since women first gained the right to vote.

The Search (Engaging for 7+), celebrates the centenary of some of first women gaining the right to vote in the UK. This brilliant and comedic silent film sees a group of young women, fed up with being undermined and ignored, protesting for their rights after a series of events - including a tense cricket match between a team of women and men.

We got in touch with the filmmakers to find out more about The Search.

Congratulations on winning Film of the Month - how do you all feel? 

We are thrilled at winning Film of the Month, it's a great achievement for us.

Where did the idea for The Search come from?

We got the idea from watching silent movies starring Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd and seeing how women were portrayed in these films. Buster Keaton in The Electric House and Cops, Charlie Chaplin in The Rink.

Those moustaches are hilarious - how did you keep them on? Were they annoying to wear?

With a prayer and a lot of swapping moustaches with each other. It was a very hot day and they were really itchy.

Why do you think it's so important to remember Vote 100?

It's important to remember Vote 100 because this changed women's lives and the way we are looked at now.

Are there any films that gave you ideas for things to include in The Search?

The Buster Keaton films because of the comedy, because we wanted to make our film funny and get an important message across.

What were the most fun parts of making The Search for you?

There were no boys in the making of this film, so we think we worked a bit better as a team. We had a whole day out of class and we had fun. The rounders scenes with the falling over were fun.

What important things do people need to know before making their first film?

You need to have a story and a set plan to follow. You've got to show commitment and be prepared to work hard and believe in what you're doing.

The Search will now be showcased to over 300,000 film club members online and all of this month's films can be seen on our YouTube channel. The filmmakers have also won a £100 Amazon voucher and a DVD! If you've been inspired by this month's winner, find out more about how you can enter our ongoing Film of the Month competition.

If you enjoyed The Search why not try these related films:

• Suffrage Tales (2017, Unclassified, 15mins) Engaging for 7+
  Stop-motion animation created by a group of young people in response to the Suffrage Movement, drawing information from The National Archives.

• The Complete Buster Keaton Short Films: Disc A (1917, U, 180mins) Engaging for 7+
  A selection of films from silent comedy star Buster Keaton. An essential introduction to his innovative stunts and slapstick performances.

• Mulan (1998, U, 84mins) Engaging for 5+
  Beautiful Disney animation based on a Chinese folktale about a girl who disguises herself as a man to fight in the army, replacing her father who's too frail.

• The Artist (2011, PG, 97mins) Engaging for 11+
  Oscar®-winning silent film that plays homage to the start of sound film through a romantic story between a wannabe actress and film superstar, who is outmoded by the new technology.