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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
