A lucky break is on offer for an aspiring local filmmaker who can inspire ethnic communities to give more blood.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has teamed up with Don Ebony Productions Ltd to encourage potential young directors to use their screen skills to make a short film promoting blood donation amongst Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities.

Anna Kerr, donor relations co-ordinator for NHSBT, said: “A large number of BME patients have a rare blood group and rely on others with the same blood group to donate.

“Conditions like Sickle Cell Anaemia and Thalassaemia Major are prevalent within the Black and Asian community and sufferers often require regular blood transfusions to stay alive.

“So with less than four per cent of all blood being donated by people from BME backgrounds, it’s vital that we get more donors within these communities give blood.”

Entries must show the positive aspects of donation to BME communities and the winning film will be shown at the New Element Music and Film Festival (NEMFEST) at Albert Hall, Nottingham, on September 29 as well as featuring on NHSBT’s YouTube and Facebook pages reaching a following of 157,000 people.

To enter and receive a full campaign brief, contact Anna Kerr on 0114 358 4798 or email anna.kerr@nhsbt.nhs.uk before Sunday September 16.