Xaverian students have again impressed the BFI Film Academy, with three students gaining places on the highly prestigious and competitive British Film Institute (BFI) Film Academy based at ‘Home’ arts centre in Manchester. This accomplishment not only reflects the dedication and skill of these budding filmmakers but also the high quality of teaching on the Film Studies and Media Studies A Levels offered by the College.
The British Film Institute (BFI) Film Academy is an initiative that aims to nurture and develop the next generation of talented filmmakers in the United Kingdom by offering a range of programmes and opportunities for young filmmakers to enhance their skills, gain practical experience, and connect with industry professionals.
Jack Crennell, formerly from All Hallows RC High School and studying A Levels in Film Studies, Ancient History and History, Cael Nolan from Priestnall School and studying A Levels in English Literature, Film Studies and History, and Georgia Nuttall from St Monica’s RC High School and studying A Levels in Film Studies, Media Studies and Photography were all successful in gaining a place on the programme, continuing the Xaverian tradition of student success on the academy.
Georgia commented: “All of my A Level teachers contributed to me getting a place through their teaching and encouraging me to apply. My subjects all involve creative work and I submitted some of my coursework as part of the application, along with some personal project work. The quality of my work is what got me accepted into the academy and the useful transferable skills and knowledge I have learned from my teachers.”
On applying to the Academy, Jack said: “I saw it as an opportunity to increase my connections with professionals in the film industry and it's already proven to be useful as I now know cinematographers, editors, directors, actors and sound mixers. It is very competitive to get a place with only 20 people gaining a place from the Greater Manchester area and I was overjoyed to be accepted.
“You need passion, dreams, effort and dedication to get a place. It's not based on your experience but on your dreams and aspirations and how you work towards that. You don't have to be making peak cinema to get a place you just need to be passionate about making films.”
The Academy is the perfect complement to the College’s Film Studies A Level where students learn about the history and evolution of the film industry, different film genres and directors’ styles, as well as the mix of skills they need to write, shoot, direct and edit their own professional film. They also benefit from the extensive knowledge of teachers who are also successful filmmakers, writers or directors in their own right.
Georgia commented: “I was ecstatic when I found out I had been accepted onto the academy. I would consider this my greatest achievement because, not only has my passion been acknowledged and recognised by the BFI, but I get to gain real experience on a real film set and make my own film!
“We have now shot our film and are in the post-production process before it is released in cinemas. We are all working to the same brief of the impact of grief and how the loss of a loved one can lead us to a breaking point, which we filmed in the style of a melodrama.”
Xaverian students and been taking part in the Academy since its inception and have gone on to have careers in the industry in a range of exciting roles, including Tehreem Faisal and Izzy Glenton. Tehreem is now working at Pinewood Studios on Indiana Jones 5 and the new Star Wars series for Disney Plus. Izzy was an Editorial Assistant on Venom 2 and Black Widow and now works at ‘Home’ herself.
The current students are hoping for similar success from participating in the Academy, and Jack said: “The Academy has helped us to hone our skills in all areas of the film industry and has allowed us to connect with like-minded individuals who may be collaborators in the future. I am already in discussions with a cinematographer to work on my next personal short film, so it's already been useful for me! In the future, I’m considering studying Filmmaking at university or I may continue making films and submitting them to festivals and looking for other opportunities to get into the industry.”
Considering her future following Xaverian, Georgia commented: “Taking part in the BFI academy will definitely help me to gain more experience and the knowledge needed to work in the real film world, and I might even make some connections to work with people! I live and breathe creativity, so I’d definitely thrive in a role such as cinematography or production design although I’ve also been told I’d make a good director! In the short term, I’m considering an apprenticeship with the BBC, or I may jump straight in by becoming a runner on a film set and working my way up in the industry.”
Curriculum Leader for Film Studies, Phil Drinkwater praised the students’ motivation and talent, commenting: "Jack, Georgia and Cael are excellent students whose enthusiasm for the subject shines through in every single lesson. They have already shown they have the drive and knowledge to pursue a career in this industry and I hope their place on the BFI Film Academy brings them a step closer to their dream."
As one of the largest providers of post-16 education in the region, Xaverian College offers an extensive range of A Levels in addition to several BTEC courses. Visit xaverian.ac.uk to find out more.