Back in November 2024, three Xaverian College students, Jack Crennell, Cael Nolan and Georgia Nuttall, secured places on the highly prestigious and competitive British Film Institute (BFI) Film Academy.
Since then, they have networked with industry professionals, attended workshops and talks, and written, directed, edited and produced their own short film which premiered at Home Cinema in Manchester on 13th February 2025.
The event, which celebrates the student's achievements and completion of the BFI Film Academy Short Course, was directed by Xaverian Alumni, Isobel Glenton, who now works as Creative Development Practitioner & Producer (Film & Digital) at HOME Manchester.
Jack said: “The Academy has helped us to hone our skills in all areas of the film industry and allowed us to connect with like-minded individuals who we may collaborate with 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.”
Georgia commented: “I got to gain real experience on a real film set and make my own film – how amazing! We all worked 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. It was great seeing it on the big screen in front of a packed audience!”
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.
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.
Assistant Divisional Lead/Film Studies Curriculum Leader, Phil Drinkwater, said: “We are beyond proud of Jack, Georgia and Cael. They have made their first big steps into the world of filmmaking and seen their work up on the big screen in front of a packed crowd. We can't wait to see what they do next, and we look forward to encouraging more Xaverian students to apply for the academy next year!”
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.