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.
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