Huge congratulations must go to Sophie Shippen, one of the Future Producers, Watershed's development programme for 18-25 year olds: she will be jetting off to the world's oldest film festival next week having been selected to represent the UK to attend the Venice Days, the independently run festival sidebar which is modelled on Cannes' respected Directors' Fortnight.

Sophie will be one of 27 young people from across Europe (aged under 25) who will be immersed in the festival experience – meeting guests, watching films, voting and sharing their thoughts. The 27 young people have been selected by the Europa Cinemas network, which Watershed is proud to be a part of.

Venice Days is a brilliant opportunity for these young cinéphiles to gain an insight into the inner workings of a renowned international festival, where Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master and Terrence Malick's To The Wonder are among the 18 films vying for the coveted Golden Lion.

Claude-Eric Poiroux, General Director of Europa Cinemas said:

'This initiative engenders great interest and enthusiasm from participants who are not only discovering films, but are also becoming film critics on social networks. Such an experience improves their knowledge and develops their taste for European cinema, leading sometimes to job opportunities in the cinema industry! Coming from 27 European countries, these young cinemagoers are the concrete representation of the diversity and vitality of the Europa Cinemas network.'

Sophie lives in Bristol and studied film at UWE before she became part of Watershed's Future Producers group in May. She now works in Bristol’s Showcase cinema, volunteers as part of the Cube's filmmaking group, and is keen to progress her career in film exhibition and programming. She really kick started her film career last year by working as an intern at Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival which, as she says, has really helped to 'open doors for me’.

Sophie says:

'I’m really excited, and full of anticipation – I can’t quite believe that there will be 27 of us in Venice from across Europe. I’m thrilled that Watershed has offered me this amazing opportunity as one of their Future Producers and I’m looking forward to reporting back and sharing my experience with the others.’

She added:

'It’ll be really interesting to compare a European Film Festival to Bristol’s Encounters – it promises to be quite an intense experience. We’ve all been in touch via social media but haven’t yet met face to face. I can’t wait!'

This great experience will perfectly complement Sophie's Future Producer work at Watershed and she will be adding her thoughts and observations to the Europa blog during the 10 day trip - keep an eye on it for all the latest news from the Lido!

---