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BFI Film Academy 2020

On 25 January 2020, two short films created by the Kent BFI Film Academy 2019 will premier to an exclusive audience.

These two films will be screened alongside other shorts and projects that students have created while at the academy. The local MP has also been invited to this event.

At the eighth year running of the Kent BFI Film Academy, twenty two budding filmmakers aged 16 to 19, planned, shot and filmed two shorts titled ‘Us and I’ and ‘Footsteps’. They undertook different roles in the crew, some of which they had never tried or thought of trying prior to joining the academy. The members were helped by course leaders Jo Nolan, Jan Dunn and Steve Lennon alongside both local industry and international professionals such as Geoff Miles, the CEO of Maidstone Studios and Alan Jones who worked in the art department for films such as ‘Skyfall’ and ‘The Woman in Black’.

The premiere screening event is being held to showcase the two short films that were shoot at Maidstone Studios in just one day.

Us and I’ is a psychological thriller set in a post apocalyptic wasteland. It’s based upon a girl named Evie played by recent drama school graduate Erin Machell. Evie is stuck in a bunker with two other conflicting personalities, Maya and Mitchel who are played by Jemima Owens and Jack Kristiansen.

Eryn (17) director of ‘Us and I’ commented: “Being the director helped me boost my confidence and find my own directorial style.”

Footsteps’ is an emotional story displaying the consequences of domestic abuse and its subliminal effects on the people around. It stars experienced actress Trudi Jackson (‘The Libertine, ‘Vera’, ‘Gavin and Stacey’) who plays the mother, as well as Phoebe Winter and Joshua Ellershaw playing the young couple of Ella and George.

Isabella Russell-Pier (16) who worked on sound for ‘Footsteps’ said: “It taught me a lot about how to use sound technology and I received a lot of help which built my confidence.”

The showcase is an opportunity for this year’s film academy members to display their works to family, friends and guests. Through the academy and filming experience, the students gained an insight into how a real-life set functions. As each took upon different roles, they learned that for the projects to be successful, teamwork and good communication was essential.

The showcase will take place on Saturday 25 January 2020 from 1:30pm to 3pm at Folkestone Quarterhouse, 49 Tontine St, Folkestone CT20 1JT.

If you would like more information, please contact Screen South at info@screensouth.org.

Contact Details

Email: info@screensouth.org