In 2023 BFI NETWORK south west ran the third iteration of New Voices, our flagship scheme for underrepresented writer-directors, a Watershed initiative in partnership with Blak Wave Productions, Little by Little Films and Grey Moth with the support of National Lottery funds. As the fourth round opens for applications this July we wanted to chat to a few writer-directors who took part previously, to reflect on their experience and tell us where they are now. 

To start off with, we asked them to introduce themselves:

Jojo Bossman (they/them) is a queer Black British Ghanaian writer and director who makes dramas that aren’t as dramatic as they are heartfelt. 

Penn Bálint (they/he) is a Hungarian multidisciplinary artist settled in Devon. Penn founded The Yoko Situation, an art collective centering trans and disabled narratives. 

Gemma Reynolds (she/her) is an actor, writer and director who aims to work in an understated, naturalistic, collaborative way with other artists. 

Recent alumni Penn, Jojo and Gemma each brought distinctive stories, styles and lived experiences to the table. Though they came onto the scheme with different levels of experience, all three emerged with a stronger creative identity as writer-directors and a clearer sense of direction for their careers. When reflecting on how they’d changed from start to finish, the word that came up again and again was confidence. 

Jojo noted a shift in how they felt about their writing; “after New Voices, I felt I had more of a voice, and I feel more comfortable sharing my work with other people.” For Gemma, a key part of that transformation came through her relationship with her script editor; “I loved working with my script editor and the way she shared notes and encouragement. I always felt nurtured, challenged and inspired to improve.” Penn emphasised the importance of structure, and how the programme’s setup created room for real productivity; “having deadlines, support, and a mentor with lived experience of disability made a massive difference. It didn’t feel like tokenistic inclusion – it felt like real access.” Penn also highlighted the value of workshopping his script with actors at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (BOVTS). “Working with BOVTS was such a highlight for me. The actors were so open and talented, and it was empowering to see how they responded to my direction.” 

All three described their time on New Voices as a catalyst, not only creatively but also in how they’ve navigated their careers since. Penn has gone on to secure BFI NETWORK Short Film funding for Featherless, the musical short he developed during New Voices, which is now heading into production. Their earlier film, Soviet Fantasia, supported by Exeter Phoenix, has screened at festivals including BFI Flare, and he’s also guest programmed for the Two Short Nights film festival.

Jojo continued developing their New Voices project and applied to the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund, while simultaneously building experience as a Camera Trainee on high-end dramas including the BBC’s Boarders. In early 2025 they shot a micro-short funded by the Bristol Pride Community Fund.

“I’ve continued to push forward with my writing and have taken on directing jobs that I would have previously questioned my ability on, as a direct result of being on this scheme,” says Gemma. She’s in pre-production on her latest short, a queer sci-fi that has been shortlisted for Slick Films Fund and on the Large Format Short Films competition. She has remained closely connected to the rest of the cohort. “I felt like I was part of a community and have kept in touch with other members of the cohort – I’m so excited to see their work produced and where they will go next creatively.”

It’s heartening to note that all three would enthusiastically recommend New Voices to other underrepresented writer-directors. “It’s the best thing going in the South West,” explains Penn, highlighting the mix of developing an original script, mentoring with production companies and workshopping with actors. Jojo stressed that the team actively seeks out voices that are often overlooked, and follows through with proper support. 

For those of us delivering New Voices, witnessing this kind of growth and seeing how much talent there is in the south west, is exactly why the scheme exists. This work wouldn’t be possible without our incredible founding partners, mentors, and funders, and we now look forward to what exciting stories and filmmakers the next edition will bring.  

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Photography by Jade Ayino.

Written by Ella McDonald.