Making Waves Film Festival

Author: misterwaves

Future Filmmakers Shine at Wave Makers Talent Day 2025

The Wave Makers Talent Day returned to Portsmouth on Friday 21 March at the Wedgewood Rooms as part of the Making Waves Film Festival, offering an inspiring showcase of the next generation of filmmakers and screen talent.

The event brought together students and emerging creatives from across the South to share their work, hear from industry experts, and build connections that could shape the future of their careers.

Hosted at Portsmouth’s historic Guildhall, the day featured the much-anticipated Future BAFTA Winners screening, highlighting short films from students at institutions including Bournemouth University, Solent University, the University of Portsmouth, and the University of Winchester.

Samuel Preston from the University of Winchester took home the Judges’ Award for Best Film with 25%, while Emma Heal from the University of Portsmouth won the Audience Award for Best Film for Autumn of Life—both receiving enthusiastic recognition from peers and professionals alike.

Best Film (Judges Award) “25%” – University of Winchester

Industry insight came from Alison Norrington, who offered a dynamic talk on the Business Builder Grant, sharing valuable guidance for creative entrepreneurs seeking to fund their next big idea. The day’s headline conversation saw Ben Cloud of Millstream Productions (event sponsor) in conversation with filmmaker Dan Pringle, exploring the journey from indie filmmaking to industry impact.

Best Film (Audience Award) “Autumn of Life” – University of Portsmouth

In true Wave Makers style, networking took centre stage—this time with a twist. Attendees enthusiastically took part in Networking Bingo, an interactive challenge that encouraged meaningful connections, with some participants proudly completing all three bingo cards.

Wave Makers Talent Day continues to play a vital role in supporting and showcasing the rich pool of creative talent emerging from the South Coast, giving early-career filmmakers a platform to shine, share, and connect.

For the full list of films screened, visit: https://makingwavesfilmfestival.com/future-bafta-winners-2025/

Find out more about the Wave Makers programme at: https://makingwavesfilmfestival.com/wave-makers-talent-day-2025/

The Wave Makers Talent Day was made possible through generous support by Millstream Production, University of Winchester, University of Portsmouth and Southampton Solent University and was supported by Kabuki Productions.

March 27, 2025
Event Cinema with Motiv8: Celebrating Stories, Creativity, and Confidence

This year’s event cinema collaboration with Motiv8 was something special. For the third year running, we teamed up with this brilliant youth service charity to deliver a community-curated screening as part of Portsmouth Bookfest, and once again the young people made it their own.

The screening took place during the Easter holidays, landing just in time for National Literacy Week. After a thoughtful discussion at the Motiv8 youth hubs, the group chose The Book Thief—a powerful, emotional story set during World War II that centres on the value of books, stories, and words. Many had seen it before and felt strongly that it was the right film to share.

Together they planned every element of the event—deciding on activities, designing the welcome experience, helping with refreshments, and even running the raffle on the day. One of the highlights was a Blackout Poetry activity, where everyone was invited to find new meaning in existing texts. Several brave souls even stepped up to share their poems aloud. As one young person put it:

“I read out a poem I wrote. I enjoyed doing this and now I have done this a few times I am finding public speaking easy and would like to do more of it.”

Another young person, who helped document the day, told us:

“I enjoyed filming the interviews for the event cinema project. It was great to capture everyone’s thoughts and be part of the process.”

You can watch the short video they created below!

There’s something wonderful about seeing how each of these event cinema projects takes shape. Each year has had its own flavour, its own focus. And each time, the experience grows more confident, more collaborative, and more creative. As one participant summed it up:

“This is the third time we have done an event cinema and each one has been very different but all have been good.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Huge thanks to our friends at Motiv8, the youth workers who make this all possible, and most importantly, to the young people who keep showing up with ideas, enthusiasm, and heart. You’re the reason we keep coming back for more.

March 24, 2025
Step Into the Story: An Immersive Theatre Workshop for Pompey Dogs Live Cinema!

By: Martha Austin

Of all the things I imagine myself doing at 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning, taking an Immersive Theatre class in a brewery was not one of them and yet now I can’t imagine a better way to spend my weekend.

I was lucky enough to be able to take part in the Interactive Theatre workshop run by the Making Waves Film Festival in conjunction with immersive theatre director Joe Hufton. It was a fantastic experience during which I learned a number of new techniques, made connections, learned from industry professionals, and above all, had a lot of fun!

From professional actors to people just there for a laugh, 30 of us gathered together to learn the ins and outs of producing an immersive theatre experience. We warmed up our (somewhat rusty, in my case) improvisation skills by telling stories to one another based on things in the room. From dinosaur uprisings to portals in fridges, we heard it all.

After we were feeling sufficiently creative, we were split into groups to create semi-scripted scenes to guide an audience along a narrative journey. The storyline of the day centred around a gang preparing for the ultimate job (cue terrible mobster accents all round) so after a very important discussion on who would be on Team Weaponry and who would be relegated to Team Tech, we got cracking.

I have to say, it’s been a while since I’ve properly been able to play with a new concept. While initially somewhat depressing, Joe’s mantra of ‘whatever you make the first time will almost certainly be rubbish’ turned out to be shockingly freeing. Having permission to make something more than a bit rough around the edges and for that to be completely OK was something I think we could all do with a bit more of in life.

And, for me, that mantra turned out to be one of the key points of the workshop. Don’t waste time standing around wondering what it would be like if you tried something, just try it and see for yourself.

The Acting & Directing for Immersive Cinema Experiences workshop was part of a preparation process for Pompey Dogs, a live cinema screening of Reservoir Dogs (1992) at Staggeringly Good Brewery as part of this year’s film festival. You can find out more by taking a look at the event programme.

February 12, 2025
Building Connections for Making Waves Film Festival at a Film London Distributor Slate Days

Last September, Making Waves Film Festival organisers Roy Hanney and Yael Friedman attended the Film London Distributor Slate Days at Picturehouse Central. This two-day event is one of the key gatherings for film distributors and exhibitors, providing a valuable chance to see what’s in store for cinema screens over the next year and to build relationships with the people who make it happen.

We kicked off with presentations from various distributors, getting sneak peeks of some of the most exciting upcoming releases. It was brilliant to see trailers and clips that have never been shown publicly before, but the real value of the event for us came on day two, with a busy morning of speed networking. This was a chance to meet face-to-face with specialist distributors, exchange ideas, and start building relationships that will help grow Making Waves’ programming in the years ahead. We had some fascinating conversations—covering everything from event screenings to Japanese cinema—and learned a lot about how the distribution side of the industry operates.

The experience highlighted the importance of getting to know the people behind the email addresses. Meeting in person makes a huge difference, and we feel much more connected to the distributors we spoke to, which will undoubtedly benefit our future programming. We’re particularly excited by the potential for collaborating on some special screenings that might fit with Portsmouth Comic Con or bring more focus on our plans to produce more event cinema in the future, hopefully creating unique experiences for Portsmouth audiences.

We want to say a huge thank you to Film London for organising such a valuable event, and to everyone we met. We’re looking forward to following up on the conversations we started and seeing how we can bring some of these exciting new films to Making Waves audiences in 2025 and beyond.

November 15, 2024
Tales of Staggeringly Good Commitments Auditions

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We invited the winner of the Staggeringly Good Commitments auditions to say a little about the experience of taking part in the competition at Staggeringly Good Brewery here is what he had to say:

The night of March 20th is one I will not soon forget. I had never heard of an interactive film experience, let alone one held in a brewery, so when I discovered the Staggeringly Good Commitments night in Portsmouth, I was thrilled to see what it would be like.

As a fan of The Commitments film and its inspiring music, I was excited to book my tickets. I noticed there was an opportunity to enter live auditions, with a chance to sing with a live band and a chance to win an afternoon in a recording studio. Having sung karaoke on nights out before, I decided to throw my name in.

The evening began in the taphouse bar downstairs, where actors portraying characters from The Commitments wandered around, interacting with us by delivering lines from the film or quoting song lyrics. Several of us, including myself, participated in the karaoke competition. Afterward, we all moved upstairs to the event room for a full screening of The Commitments on the big screen, followed by an incredible performance by the Soul Suspects band.

Two finalists from the karaoke competition, including myself, were announced, and I had the unforgettable opportunity to sing “Mustang Sally” live with the band. That experience was amazing enough, but being announced as the overall winner was truly mind-blowing. We spent the rest of the evening singing and dancing along with the band!

Thank you to everyone involved in organizing this fantastic experience. I hope to see more events like this in the future. Blues Brothers, anyone? 😊

Jonathan Hamer

And a big thank you to Jon for stepping up to the mike and to the prize sponsors Casemates Studios, who offered Jon a recording opportunity. Plus not to forget the wonderful Soul Suspects who were our houseband for the night. We are all looking forward to hearing what Jon has recorded. You can watch the video of Jon performing Mustang Sally with the Soul Suspects below and you will understand why Jon wowed the judges and the audience.

Until next time!

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June 17, 2024
The Staggeringly Good Commitments Live Cinema Experience

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Making Waves Film Festival has grown over the last few years from a festival screening films in unusual venues to its latest creation producing Portsmouth’s first live cinema experience – The Staggeringly Good Commitments.

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The 2024 festival culminated with the event staged in a working brewery and taproom at the Staggeringly Good Brewery. Set around the screening of the hit 90’s musical The Commitments, the experience invited audiences to step back into the 1990’s, into the fictional world of “Pompeytown” and mingle with familiar characters from the film as they prepared for a high-profile music competition offering a record deal that would transform their lives.

Eight budding members of the public signed up for the live auditions to win a chance to sing with band on stage and a free recording session at Portsmouth’s Casemates Studios. All eight were superb but there could only be one winner.

In between the live auditions, Pompeytown’s residents Lisa, Paul, Julie, Dave, Lee and Ceri could be overheard by the expectant audience in the taproom. Apparently, Pompey music promoter Paul was putting together a soul band like no other, “Pompey style”, although they didn’t have a name yet ! Tensions were brewing between the female backing singers and the male egos. Could the power of soul save the day ?

As the band did a final sound check upstairs and auditions progressed, lead character Lisa became more determined to secure her place in the band. The audience followed her upstairs and settled down to watch Alan Parker’s hit film screened on a big screen. In the lively setting of a warehouse, the audience laughed, cheered and sang along with The Commitments.

One audience member remarked how the film had brough her and her husband together, and they were now sharing the experience with their parents and children altogether for the first time. Other audience members driven by the idea of an immersive cinema experience were happily watching the film for the first time. Some complete fans of the film were dressed as the backing signers and sang their way through. Most of the audience were committed wearing double denim and Doc Marten’s.

As the film credits rolled, the audience became expectant to discover which of the audition entrants would be singing with the live band. They didn’t have long to wait. The two finalists rose to the occasion and local man John won the prize after a stunning live performance of “Mustang Sally”, worthy of comparison with Andrew Strong.

The seven piece band, Soul Suspects then got the house jumping and grooving to a range of soul classics and the good times did indeed roll.

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The Staggeringly Good Commitments was supported by funding from BFI Film Audience Network, and supported by Film Hub Southwest with sponsorship from Casemates Studios.

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April 17, 2024
Hunt for the Wilder People half-term screening with Motiv8

As part of the MWFF community curated screening initiative, we partnered with youth charity Motiv8 and the University of Portsmouth to put on a half-term screening of ‘Hunt for the Wilder People’ (2016).

The young people collaborated with students from the university to select a film they would like to see and curate an event for neurodivergent young people. Engaging with the film’s content and neurodivergent sensitivities the event was themed around feelings of isolation and pathways to connections. Staged at Treagolds Warehouse, Portsea the young people designed various activities within the space -there was a sensory tent, a self-made photo booth, a friendship tree for people to add their thoughts and a game created by the young people that was played prior to the screening.

The atmosphere at the event was fun and relaxed and the young people felt comfortable and calm. The space was really-well suited to the screening and was nicely decorated by the young people. The popcorn machine provided by David at Gosport Community Cinema who also provided and installed all the projection equipment was a brilliant touch.

The young people told us they loved the film, they thought the film was funny and entertaining. They liked the social side of the event but especially they loved the food and the goody bags the organisers had put together.

This event was funded by Film Hub South West via the BFI Film Audience Network and was a partnership between MWFF, the University of Portsmouth and Motiv8.

April 9, 2024
Beyond Boundaries Lite: A Beginner’s Guide to Curating Community Cinema Events

Welcome to the world of community cinema! Whether you’re a film enthusiast, a creative producer, or a member of a community group, this guide is designed to empower you to bring the magic of cinema to your local community. Inspired by the insights from the Beyond Boundaries workshop hosted in partnership with Film Hub South West, Portsmouth Creates and Making Waves Film Festival on March 23^rd 2024, this guide will walk you through the essential steps of curating cinema events, screenings, and exhibitions.

Step 1: Dream Big, Start Small (1-2 Months Before Your Event)

Find Your Passion

Identify what type of film events you’re passionate about. Is it a film festival, pop-up cinema, or seasonal film program? Consider themes that resonate with your community, such as local history, environmental issues, or specific genres like documentaries or indie films.

Learn from the Best

Attend workshops and sessions like Beyond Boundaries to gain insights into the process of curating cinema events. These programs offer invaluable advice and guidance from experts in the field, such as Neil Ramjee from Film Hub South West.

Step 2: Plan and Collaborate (1-1.5 Months Before Your Event)

Build Your Team

Cinema events are collaborative efforts. Gather a team of like-minded individuals who share your enthusiasm. This could include community group members, volunteers, and local creatives.

Secure the Venue

Choose a venue that fits your event’s scale and theme. Whether it’s an outdoor screening in a park, a local hall, or a unique space like an aquarium (as seen in a case study from the workshop), the right venue can add an extra layer of magic to your event.

Networking and Support

Utilize platforms like Making Waves Film Festival and Portsmouth Creates to network with peers and seek potential collaborations or sponsorships. Remember, this journey is not just about screening films; it’s about building a community.

Step 3: Dive into the Details (1 Month Before Your Event)

Licensing and Legalities

Ensure you have the right permissions and licenses for the films you plan to screen. This includes public performance licenses and ensuring you’re not infringing on any copyrights.

Marketing and Promotion

Develop a marketing strategy to promote your event. Utilize social media, local press, and community bulletins. Create engaging content that highlights the unique aspects of your event, such as special guests, themed decorations, or interactive elements.

Budgeting and Funding

Outline a budget that covers venue hire, licensing fees, marketing, and any additional costs. Explore funding opportunities like the Pitch Pot funding strand from Film Hub South West, designed to support cultural cinema screenings.

Step 4: Execution and Engagement (Day of Your Event)

Set the Stage

Prepare your venue with attention to comfort and ambience. Consider the customer journey from the moment they arrive to the end of the event. Ensure signage is clear, and the environment is welcoming.

Engage Your Audience

Create an engaging experience for your attendees. This can range from pre-show discussions, and themed refreshments, to post-screening Q&As. Remember, the goal is to spark conversations and deepen the community’s connection to cinema.

Step 5: Reflect and Grow (Post-Event)

Gather Feedback

Seek feedback from your audience and team. What worked well? What could be improved? This will be invaluable for planning future events.

Celebrate Your Success

Take a moment to celebrate your achievements. You’ve brought people together through the power of cinema, fostering a sense of community and shared experience.

Plan for the Future

Use the insights and experience gained from your event to plan future screenings. Each event is a stepping stone towards growing a vibrant community cinema culture in your area.

Remember, curating community cinema events is a journey filled with learning, growth, and the joy of bringing stories to life on the big screen. Let the Beyond Boundaries workshop and the Making Waves Film Festival inspire you to embark on this rewarding adventure.

Are you ready to make waves in your community with cinema? Start planning your event today, and watch the magic unfold. If you want help with planning a cinema-related event, get in touch with Making Waves Film Festival and we will be happy to offer advice and support. You should also take a look at the Film Hub Southwest website and sign up for their email list.

Beyond Boundaries: Curating Cinema in the South West – a summary of the presentation by Neil Ramjee of Film Hub Southwest at the 2024 MWFF event at Guildhall, Portsmouth, supported by Portsmouth Creates, Film Hub South West, BFI Film Audience Network, and Guildhall, Portsmouth.

April 7, 2024
The Secret of the Grain – a cinematic dining experience

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Set inside the refurbished walls of All Saints Church, Making Waves Film Festival and Kitchen of Hope brought a collaborative experience like no other – a dining experience immersed in the world of the film being screened.

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The film itself, The Secret of the Grain (2007), is set in the south of France and follows an Arabic family through the trials and tribulations of life, intimately denoting their relationships. And the thing that brings them together? A family meal and the homemade fish couscous from the mother of the family. The same fish couscous inspires ex-husband, Slimane, who had recently been made redundant, to open a restaurant to showcase this beloved couscous.

Couscous was the key that brought the evening together, being served to guests to enjoy while they watched the story unfold.

The food was prepared by Kitchen of Hope, a project from Portsmouth City of Sanctuary that provides refugees the opportunity to cook dishes from their home countries. This charity-run kitchen cater for and brings a world of culture to events across Portsmouth a handful of times a month and at this experience, guests enjoyed a classic Arabic mezze salad, a lamb broth, a choice of fish, meat or vegetable couscous, and a delightful sweet couscous and fruit salad to finish the meal.

The real challenge for the chefs preparing a three-course meal for 50 guests, was to do so during Ramadan, a time of fasting from food and drink for those of Muslim faith. Attendees at the event were invited to join the chefs breaking their fast by eating dates at sundown, as is the tradition for the evening meal (Iftar).

The evening felt like a true celebration of culture at such an important time in the Islamic calendar, brought to life through the lens of a familial story. The cosy candle lit environment, the delicious food, and the high-quality screening (provided by Gosport Community Cinema) were a great combination for attendees to relax and feel taken care of.

The event was well supported and attended – Coastal Kitchen Family helped to supply the food and generously donated to the charity, alongside donations from attendees helping to ensure events like this can continue to be put on for the community, by the community. We would also like to thank our sponsors BFI Film Audience Network and Film Hub South West for allowing us to put events like this on, and of course, Portsmouth City of Sanctuary and Kitchen of Hope for working with us on such a special event.

It goes without saying a huge thanks is needed to the chefs of Kitchen of Hope who chose the film and the menu as well as prepared and cooked it all. This event wouldn’t have been possible without you!

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This event was funded by Film Hub South West via the BFI Film Audience Network in partnership with Portsmouth City of Sanctuary and The Kitch of Hope.

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April 7, 2024
Wave Makers Talent Development Day: A Celebration of Emerging Film Talent at No6 Cinema

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The Wave Makers Talent Development Day, an integral part of the Making Waves Film Festival annual season, recently unfurled its sails at No6 Cinema, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, revealing the vibrant potential of South West’s filmmaking talent. This day-long event showcased the work of 2nd year fiction production students at three local universities; the University of Winchester, Solent University and the University of Portsmouth’s BA (Hons), in the Future BAFTA Winners Short Film Competition.

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The standout short film, ‘Daylight’, directed by Alfie Sadler and produced by Ben Steed, clinched the Judges’ Award. Judges praised ‘Daylight’ for its “sense of frustration,” exemplary editing, and the effective use of cross-cutting, which significantly elevated the film’s narrative tension. The audience vote went to another University of Portsmouth team, with the prize being awarded to ‘When this You See’, produced by Ben Jones and Directed by Megan Lyons. The handmade awards, created especially for the competition by local artist Lawn of the Dead, were presented by Ben Cloud and Dan Musty from Millstream Productions.

The event wasn’t just about competition; it was a comprehensive platform for networking, insight, and celebration. Beyond the screenings, the Wave Makers Talent Development Day featured networking sessions and a Q&A hosted by BFI NETWORK Talent Coordinator Ella McDonald who spoke with funded filmmaker Corinne Walker.

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We then had the opportunity to watch four BFI-funded films including Corinne Walker’s ‘Homegrown’, which explores the experience of migrant farm workers. Providing attendees with a unique opportunity to engage with emerging talent and learn from those who have been through the BFI production funding scheme.

Sponsored by Millstream Productions, and supported by BFI NETWORK, and FILM ACADEMY, the event stands as an annual beacon for film enthusiasts and creators, emphasising the importance of partnerships between educational institutions, and funding bodies and highlighting the invaluable support of local businesses in cultivating the next generation of filmmakers.

[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ width=”” height=”20″ alignment=”center” border_size=”” weight=”” amount=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” logics=””]We congratulate all the participants and winners for their outstanding contributions, we genuinely believe we will see some of these young people winning BAFTA’s in the not-too-distant future. Their stories serve as a reminder of the powerful ways in which film can explore our world and give expression to our ideas.

Stay connected with us for more inspiring stories of creativity and here’s to the next wave of film talent, nurtured and celebrated here in the South West. Join us in this cinematic voyage.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ width=”” height=”20″ alignment=”center” border_size=”” weight=”” amount=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” logics=””]

This event was sponsored by Millstream Productions, and supported by No6 Cinema, BFI NETWORK, BFI Film Academy, University of Winchester, University of Portsmouth and Solent University.

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April 3, 2024