Four Sheffield Hallam University student groups have reached the final of the inaugural Welcome to Yorkshire Student Film Competition, an initiative that’s set to continue as an annual county-wide event.
This recently launched ‘Connected Campus’ competition created by Sheffield Hallam University, Screen Yorkshire and Welcome to Yorkshire, received eleven film submissions covering a diverse range of Yorkshire topics. The project presented an amazing opportunity for filmmakers studying in the region to tell their Yorkshire stories and to showcase the county, while at the same time receiving mentoring and guidance from some of the film industry’s top professionals with Screen Yorkshire.
Director Sam Donovan (The Crown, Last Tango in Halifax, Utopia) who delivered teaching sessions said: “As a former Hallam University student it was a pleasure to help current students bring their projects to life. There are some really imaginative stories.”
Career Support Manager at Screen Yorkshire, Richard Knight said: “The students received direct input and guidance on their films through development, shoot and edit from the crème de la crème of the UK film industry, which represents everything that our connected campus programme is about. Added to that the fantastic opportunity for the best of the films to be showcased on yorkshire.com thanks to Welcome to Yorkshire’s involvement, and the end result is an incredible learning experience for the students. I am so proud of all they have achieved.”
Principal Lecturer in Media Arts and Communication at Sheffield Hallam University Annie Watson said: “This cross departmental, industry commissioned project was a fantastic initiative for our film students. To experience such a direct connection with the industry and one that extends beyond the initial project (through the competition and the public screenings) is of vital importance, in terms of ambition, development and inspiration.”
All films were produced, scripted, directed and acted by students from Sheffield Hallam University, with audio tracks promoting Yorkshire. The judging panel was challenged with selecting the top four finalists from some very impressive entries.
It’s now time for the public to choose the overall winner and voting closes at midnight on Sunday 3rd October 2021. https://www.yorkshire.com/student-film-competition
Film 1: Out of Tea Out of Time – Director Phin Fredrick
Film 2: Dracula’s Day Out - Screenwriter Sean O'Reilly
Film 3: Victoria Street – Co-directed by Asma Kabadeh & Aaron Hopper
Film 4: Keeping up with the Brontës - Director Katie Williams.
All votes submitted will be entered into a prize draw to receive a Welcome to Yorkshire badge and snood.
Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive James Mason said: “This is an amazing opportunity for Yorkshire’s incredibly talented students to show top industry specialists their skills and creativity, whilst showcasing our beautiful county far and wide. Yorkshire has a rich history of world-class TV and film production, with ideal locations including breathtaking countryside, stunning coastline, vibrant cities, contemporary and heritage sites, from impressive stately homes to gritty industrial settings. Working closely with Screen Yorkshire and Sheffield Hallam University on this exciting initiative highlights just why Yorkshire is the perfect place to Visit, Live, Work and Study, something Welcome to Yorkshire continues to promote. Good luck to all the fantastic finalists!”
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