Inside Screen saw 120 emerging filmmakers flooding into Watershed, Bristol for a day of screenings, talks and networking.
We began with a celebration event for those who took part in BFI Film Academy short courses in Bristol and Somerset. We watched a bunch of their amazing shorts that ranged from documentary to animation. Finally, participants were presented with certificates to celebrate their completion of the course. Find out more about BFI Film Academy’s Short Courses here.
Next, we were hosted by BFI NETWORK south west Talent Executive Jess Wheeler, who presented a series of short film funded by the BFI NEWORK Short Film Fund in the south west. After the screening, we were delighted to be joined by two writer-directors and one producer behind the films; Frankie Fox (Goodbye Python), Helena Houghton (Beltane) and Yomi Ayeni (Beltane). We talked about spiritual filmmaking, stop-motion animation and the role of the producer in short films.
After lunch we moved to W3 for In Conversation with Maria Odufuye, hosted by presenter, producer and filmmaker Euella Jackson. Maria discussed her role as a Script Editor on productions such as Sex Education and Eastenders. Furthermore, Maria and Euella chatted about about finding your voice as a storyteller, and pathways into working in the script department.
“I really liked that the guest speaker wasn’t a big-deal director but someone who does a role I’ve never thought of before…she works with just about everyone on a TV set and that’s really fascinating”
Attendee
The final session, by Jazlyn Pinckney and Ella McDonald, introduced hot tips for networking, fully tested by self-proclaimed networking haters! They got the audience doing activities to explore different ways of introducing themselves, building confidence and connection when meeting new people. It’s safe to say the audience was buzzing by the time the industry professionals arrived for the final part of Inside Screen…
To end the day, we invited 8 industry professionals to come to our networking session so that the attendees could flex their new networking skills and hear more about different pathways into the screen industries. We were joined by Ellie Kirby (Comms Manager, Watershed), Tony Bhajam (Producer, Watershed), Sarah Smither (DOP, Founder of Bristol Crew), Steph Read (Cinema Programmer, Watershed), Jess Wheeler (Talent Exec, Watershed) and Mari Yamamura (DOP).
The energy in the room was brilliant, and we were delighted to see so many people chatting with each other. We hope you built lots of new connections!
“I have always found the idea of networking really daunting but this has given me loads more confidence”
Attendee
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