By Kayleigh Hitch, Festival Organiser

“With 24 works being show this was the biggest ever end of year event and the genres on show demonstrated the depth of talent and eclectic creativity of the students. This was also the final year for many of the students from the Hastings Campus and special recognition their hard work in making this event the success it was.

“The event was about showcasing talent and hard work from all levels across campuses with work that incorporates a rich diversity of styles, themes and genres of moving image media into a single event. For the final year students, the event was the biggest and final occasion to reflect upon and celebrate all we have learnt and achieved in our time at the University of Brighton. For the year 1 and 2 students the night was an opportunity to demonstrate and develop your talents in an environment where you can network with other students, both in and out of your own course, to further creative achievement. I hope it provided enjoyment and inspiration to all of you!

“We were absolutely delighted to welcome Kamilla Hødel, co-founder of Elation pictures, as our special guest for the evening. Kamilla has produced the BAFTA-nominated short film Manoman, IDA-winning Archipelagoand Aspen-winning Thanks for Dancing. Her films have been selected for festivals including Sundance, Cannes, BFI London Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand, SXSW and Telluride. Previously, Kamilla has worked for the BFI as Delegate Service Manager for London Film Festival 2015, and is a graduate of the MA Producing degree at the National Film and Television School. She answered student questions in a hugely informative and inspiring Q&A, and offered the prize of a mentoring session with the winners of Best Production Julia Jalyschko and Alice Giraudi.”

“I want to say a huge thank you for the support received during the planning and production of this festival. To the admin and technical staff, particularly Marley Cole, for putting the films together. To the lecturers, thank you for making yourself available to judge the submissions and advertising the festival across campuses and courses. To Bruno and the SU, thank-you for providing funding for the prizes. Thanks also to the staff at the Lewes Depot for hosting us. And finally, a massive thank-you Dario Llinares who has made it all possible by going above and beyond for all of us. Thank you!”

Festival Awards

Best Screenplay – Babushka (Julia Jalyschko, Digital Film)

Best Cinematography – Solitary Freedom (Charlie Knight, Digital Film)

Best Editing – At Home with the Hench Family (Kynza Kendall-Jones and Ruby Kiwinda, Fashion Communication with Business Studies)

Best Sound – Babushka (Tom Etheridge, Digital Film)

Best Fictional Film – Manhood (Harry Warren, Digital Film)

Best Animation – L’Amour (Sara Ehrlichova, Design for Digital Media)

Best Experimental/Non-Narrative – At Home with the Hench Family (Kynza Kendall-Jones and Ruby Kiwinda, Fashion Communication with Business Studies)

Best Documentary – The Subjective Truth (Jacob Harrey, Broadcast Media top-up)

Best Production – Babushka (Alice Giraudi/Julia Jalyschko, Digital Film)