Into Film Clubs
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This year's Into Film Festival, which concluded in November with a special pupil premiere of Moana 2, had a greater focus on careers than ever before. While the Festival is a celebration of the big screen experience, we also take it as an opportunity to peer behind the curtain, and highlight the many varied roles that take place behind the scenes, and demonstrate to young people that working in the screen industries is an exciting and achievable ambition, whatever their passions or talents.
On the final day of the Festival, we were delighted to collaborate with BAFTA, hosting two very special careers panels that formed part of both the Young BAFTA Showcase and the Into Film Festival. The first saw a group of professionals that have worked on the Horrible Histories TV show over the years join us to discuss their varied roles. The panel was made up of: Simon Welton, series producer; Jemima Cotter, costume designer; David Bryan, production designer; and Fran Cooper, set decorator.
Ahead of Horrible Histories being recognised with a BAFTA Special Award, this was a fantastic opportunity to hear behind-the-scenes stories from such a beloved show, and hear from those who make it.
As well as conveying what a fun and sometimes bonkers job it was to work on a show like Horrible Histories, the panel also spoke about the myriad pathways they took to reach their roles, and offered advice to those looking to follow in their footsteps, emphasising that there are many unexpected routes into the industry. "I trained in engineering", explained Bryan, "and then studied theatre and learnt lighting and set building. So there are many paths in."
The panel also detailed what they feel are some of the key transferable skills that young people may need to help them get into the industry, with an emphasis on communication, being nice and getting on with people as universally key attributes, alongside problem solving skills, patience, inquisitiveness, and the courage to embrace opportunities.
The afternoon session was an in-conversation event with young actor Bilal Hasna, star of TV shows Extraordinary and 3 Body Problem, and new film Layla. As a queer Muslim of Palestinian/Pakistani descent, Hasna offered a unique perspective on working as an actor, providing inspiration to a young audience for whom it's important to see role models of all kinds on screen.
"If you don't see a role that reflects who you are, you can write it", Hasna told the young audience. "Now, more than ever, is time for people to take risks and write their own stuff. I wish I knew how to produce film and TV before I started. There needs to be more incredible days like today."
These events with BAFTA were the cherry on top of an Into Film Festival that had already gone further than ever before in supporting and highlighting screen industry careers, inspiring a new generation to become a part of the vibrant UK screen industries.
Elsewhere in this year's Festival, we held a special screening of new musical adaptation Wicked, which was followed by a unique Q&A session with both trainees and established film industry representatives who worked on the film, to help inspire the next generation of industry professionals.
This event tied in perfectly with our brand-new Wicked Futures: Careers in Film resource, a careers-focused learning programme to empower young people to unlock their own unique powers. The resource spotlights the work of entry-level production trainees who worked on Wicked, inspiring learners with the achievements of a diverse and relatable group of near-to-peer individuals.
The panel consisted of Millie Davies, a trainee in the Music Department, and Denise Joborne, a trainee in the Production Department, both of whom were involved in the creation of our Wicked Futures: Careers in Film resource. They were joined by Beth Slater, a prop model maker, and Adam Cooper, UK Marketing Manager at Universal Pictures.
At the special screening at Cineworld in Leicester Square, several hundred young people got to enjoy Wicked on the big screen, before hearing from our panellists about their work on the film. From marketing the film, to recording the iconic songs, to bringing the world of Oz to life through props, this was an incredible insight into the many people and dazzling range of jobs it takes to bring a film to life.
As well as exploring the varied roles of trainees and some of the less spotlighted roles in film, this year's Into Film Festival also welcomed several award-winning directors, who were able to provide young people with a more all-encompassing view of what it's really like to make a film.
We were honoured to have award-winning British director Amma Asante join us for a career retrospective at the Barbican, where she spoke about her game-changing career, and offered advice on how the next generation of British filmmaking talent can get started.
It is an entirely different world for you guys than it was for me. I did it - I went through it. I went through tapping on those glass ceilings, and being in an environment where I was the only woman, or the only woman of colour… I did it - and so many of my generation did it - so that you don't have to. So that you can exist in an entirely different world. Doors that were not open for me, are absolutely open to you.
Amma Asante, Director and Into Film Ambassador
Meanwhile, in a rare public appearance, award-winning director Andrea Arnold joined us at the BFI Southbank for a special screening of her new film, Bird, which was followed by a Q&A session with an enthusiastic room of several hundred teenagers - many of whom were studying film and hoping to follow in her footsteps.
When I started there wasn't so much film equipment. You've got more things at your disposal now, where you can just get up and make a film. That doesn't make it easy... But it means you can try - and fail - without spending too much money. And I would suggest trying and failing. Failing is so important; not being scared of failing. Just try and see what you can do.
Andrea Arnold, Award-winning British director
While this year's Festival has now concluded, keep an eye out for for our Golden Ticket tour, which will be celebrating schools across the UK in 2025, recognising their wonderful work with Into Film and offering them exciting free cinema experiences.
And if all that wasn't enough, our Spring Screenings will be returning between 7-28 March 2025, offering another programme of free screenings and events in locations around the UK. Save the dates now, and keep an eye out for further announcements in the new year.
