The British film industry has always been admired and respected all over the world. Never more so than now. We are after all, the nation of David Niven, the Fox Dynasty, Laurence Olivier, Dame Maggie Smith, Rupert Everett, Daniel Day-Lewis and so many more that this list could be a kilometre long! Film is a passion for me. I have spent many rainy afternoons, happily on my own in the cinema watching film after film.

The British film industry has a whole new generation of young film makers. We are very lucky to have so much raw talent in this country and as such, we must fully embrace it. One amazing man, Sam Cullis, with help of the BFI and Film 4 is championing a wonderful initiative aimed at supporting young film makers. He is the mastermind behind the Barnes Film Festival, which started in 2016.

Sam doesn’t have a background in the film industry. He is a local teacher with a passion for movies from a very early age. He is now Head of Media Studies at the Harrodian School in Barnes. Sam has always wanted to share his own love of film making so in 2012, he founded the Barnes Film Academy for young screenwriters, actors and cinematographers aged between 8 and 15. What started as an after-school workshop has become one of the most talked about film academies in London.
The 2018 Barnes Film Festival will showcase filmmaking talent from schools, colleges and universities from all over the UK. This wonderful platform gives an opportunity to young film makers to show their work and for the film industry to spot up and coming talent, so it can be nurtured and given the chance to shine. Who knows where next Hitchcock, Danny Boyle, or Ridley Scott will come from!

One film I particularly like is The Moth, winner of the 19+ category in 2017 and which will be shown again this year. The film was made, and the score written by Rory Campbell, an incredibly shy young man, with an intense personality and harrowing beauty. It is no wonder that his dark, yet compelling film was so successful last year. It is a truly thought-provoking tale of a young man who cannot face the world and wonders if he can cope with life. It is one not to be missed. Rory has also become a course mentor at The Barnes Film Academy.

Barnes Film Festival
Barnes, London
28th – 30th September 2018

The BFI has long championed young film makers; and with the support of IWC, have created The IWC Schaffhausen Filmmaker Bursary Award, an award of £50,000 for the winner to continue on their creative journey. So it is no wonder that the BFI will be judging this year’s entries at the Barnes Film Festival along with Film4.

With Patrons such as Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci – Lovely bones and The Devil Wears Prada –, and one of our newest and most exciting young actors, George MacKay –Peter Pan and the Lost Boys –, to name but a few. This wonderful film festival Now in its 3rd year, the Barnes Festival will once again enhance young talent, help them grow and hopefully nurture a few future Oscar winners. British Film is right up there with the best in the world. Let’s help this incredible talent shine for all to see.