New Voices Step Up: Meet the Participants
BFI NETWORK & BFI Film Academy South West present New Voices: Step Up
This summer, in partnership with BFI Film Academy and Bristol AF Productions, we launched a few mentoring opportunities for filmmakers who identify as being from a lower socio-economic background or who are currently unemployed and claiming benefits. In these challenging times – and with working-class creatives in film and TV at the lowest level in a decade – we recognise the need to support talent who lack the opportunities that others may have (in location, access, connections, resources), and we were keen to provide some guidance on pathways into the industry and on maintaining a career once in it.
Mentors included Luna Carmoon, Paul Holbrook, Xenia Glen, Maddy Probst, Neil Ramjee and more.
BFI NETWORK Participants
Robyn Egan (she/her)
Robyn is a writer-director from the South West. Robyn was awarded the Devon Short Film Commission in 2023 where she wrote, directed and produced her first short, Dolls. Dolls premiered at Two Short Nights Film Festival, winning the Audience Choice Award and has since been selected for BIFA qualifying festivals.
Nathan Powles (he/him)
Nathan is a writer-director who grew up on a working-class farm on Exmoor, Somerset. While studying Filmmaking at UWE Bristol, he developed his passion for screenwriting, building on his love of reading and writing. Drawing from his upbringing and unique perspective, Nathan focuses on addressing issues faced by the rural working-class in the West Country, such as the impact of wealth inequality in rural communities. He recently wrote and directed his first short film, The Gentleman Farmer, which tells the story of a financially struggling farmer who discovers his lambs have been stolen the day before a crucial market.
Daniel Granville (he/him)
Daniel Granville is a British director and screenwriter. In 2024, he won the inaugural David Yates Fund through Create Studios and wrote and directed the drama/horror Ghost Story (2024). His previous credits include writing and co-producing the short films What About Now? (2020) and Family Meeting (2022), which screened at the IndieView Festival, and the sci-fi art film Phaëton (2022), shown at the 2023 Kino Im Sprengel Film Festival in Germany. He has received the Creative Access-McLaren Racing 2023 Career Development Bursary and was part of the Channel 4 & Sony Pictures Television “Momentum” mentorship scheme. He is currently in preproduction on his next film and developing his debut feature.
Helen Tompson (she/her)
Helen is a writer pursuing a career in screenwriting, with experience in theatre, radio, and film. She holds an MA in scriptwriting, and her work has been featured on regional radio, with a short film currently in development. Passionate about storytelling, Helen is eager to refine her skills and explore new creative directions. This opportunity will allow her to gain industry insight, sharpen her approach, and expand her network. Always keen to connect with fellow creatives, Helen welcomes connections on LinkedIn to share her journey.
Izzy Cresswell (she/her)
Izzy Cresswell is a writer-director focused on grassroots and unexplored stories. She draws on her unique lived experiences to craft narratives that resonate both visually and emotionally. Izzy is particularly interested in exploring characters beyond binary ‘good’ or ‘bad’ motivations, delving into the complexities of human nature. Her work often plays with the duality of light and dark, blending comedy and drama to create varied audience impacts. With a background in theatre studies and performance design, Izzy takes a layered approach to storytelling, exploring how scenic and spatial realities can immerse audiences and challenge characters within their environments.
Samuel Goddard
Samuel Goddard is a Bristol-born creative with a lifelong love for writing and directing. His bold ideas are often driven while utilising limited resources. Samuel’s appreciation for Expressionism, Ancient History and Science Fiction contributes to his eclectic style.
BFI Film Academy Participants
Kieran Louie (he/they)
Kieran Louie is a Bristol Film School Graduate & filmmaker based in Bristol and London. As a storyteller, Kieran finds joy in writing and directing short films and documentaries which challenge the audience to embrace their differences and that of the world around them.
Shamini Kanthan (she/her)
Shamini is a creative individual with a strong passion for costume design and making. From an early age, she was drawn to artistic expression and knew she wanted a career that allowed her to use her imagination. Costume design has become her preferred way to bring ideas to life, combining creativity with practicality. She enjoys creating concepts into tangible designs, whether for theater, film, or personal projects. Eager to continuously improve, Shamini is always looking to learn new techniques and further develop her skills in the world of design.
Lara Fullalove (she/her)
As a young woman in a predominantly male industry, celebrating marginalised voices is crucial to Lara’s work as a writer-director. Her projects include Just Be Nice, Don’t Be a C*** (2022), a short documentary exploring punk’s evolving landscape through varying voices. The dark-comedy Semi Skimmed (2023) follows a young woman seeking solace after a miscarriage through a one-night stand. Christmas, 1978 (2024) delves into the complex relationship between a father and son in working-class Devon, n amidst the dichotomy of Homosexuality and Catholicism. Lara is currently developing a feature script, aiming for production by Summer 2025.
Jade Baran
Jade is a sound designer currently studying at university and primarily working on student films. She has a passion for horror and thriller genres and particularly enjoys the process of dialogue editing. Jade is excited to be part of this scheme, eager to build industry connections, and looks forward to meeting new people.
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- New Voices 2021: Meet the Participants Read more
- New Voices 2023: Meet the Participants Read more
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New Voices Step Up: Meet the Participants
New Voices 2020: Meet the Participants
BFI NETWORK South West are pleased to present our participants for the New Voices scheme 2020.
New Voices 2021: Meet the Participants
BFI NETWORK, in partnership with production companies Blak Wave & Little By Little Films, are pleased to present our participants for the New Voices scheme 2021-22. This talent development opportunity aims to help aspiring South West and Midlands based filmmakers looking to develop their five-minute short film idea.
Watershed is the Lead Film Hub Organisation for Film Hub South West, part of the BFI Film Audience Network.
Watershed is a Registered Charity No. 284188 and a Social Enterprise
Watershed, 1 Canons Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5TX
Film Hub South West &
BFI NETWORK South West
are part of the BFI Film Audience Network, supported by The National Lottery.
