At the end of January, we held our highly anticipated Graduate Showcase. A marvellous week packed with graduate film screenings, pitching, networking and of course, our Graduation Ceremony. Hosted at the British Film Institute in Southbank, we welcomed friends and family of our graduates as well as industry professionals to celebrate their magnificent work and give a wholehearted send off into the next phase of their film careers.
Each year we partner with leading companies within the film industry to support our student awards. This year we partnered with Sargent-Disc for the Outstanding International Film Business Student award, Coverfly & Final Draft for the Outstanding Screenwriting Student award, and Panalux for the Outstanding Filmmaking Student award. Continue reading to see what our superb award winners had to say.
Anastasiya Mykhaylova – Outstanding Filmmaking Student Award Winner
“Over the last few years, I've built a family of some of the most extraordinary humans in the world at the London Film School. It's been so exciting to see how everyone has evolved from their first projects, and it's been an honour to share this journey of learning and growing with such remarkably brilliant filmmakers. The showcase was a perfect bittersweet wrap to our time together. I'm going to miss this crew a lot, but I'm also really looking forward to our future and excited for everyone’s journey ahead.
“Winning the Panalux award was very unexpected and incredibly special. I feel deeply grateful for the recognition of my work in the art department. I've had the privilege of working on a multitude of wonderful films and lucky to have been trusted by their directors. However, my work would be nothing without the unwavering support of my extraordinarily talented art team. They have been the real heroes behind every production, facing all sorts of challenges to bring our visions to life. Without their dedication, none of this would be possible. I wish to use this opportunity to shine a light on our department, and to celebrate their contributions.
Federico Trezzi (Sparare Alle Angurie, A Splinter in the Eye, The Bull, Broken Hearts, Saving Art)
Anna Abdullaeva (Praeis, Saving Art)
Elitsa Marielle (Saving Art)
Kelly Diapère (A Splinter in the Eye)
Sofia Fomina (Broken Hearts)
Rory Baynham (A Splinter in the Eye, Broken Hearts)
Patrick Verlin (A Splinter in the Eye)
Sara Lakin (The Bull)
Donatas Baltrušaitis (Praeis)
Remigijus Drakšas (Praeis)
Cameron Barnes (Broken Hearts)”
Joseph Moore – Outstanding International Film Business Student Award Winner
"I am beyond grateful to have received the Sargent-Disc Award for Outstanding Student for the MA International Film Business program. I honestly couldn't have even gotten through the program without the professors and industry professionals as well as my fellow MAIFB friends in our cohort.
“I feel blessed to have been able to meet all of the people I was able to meet and loved my time at London Film School. I am also honoured to be nominated with my friends Shammika Mukherjee, Krunal Kawale, Ran Christer & Luna Brusselaers and share this honour with all of my fellow graduates in our cohort as I have been inspired by their hard work and passion for filmmaking.
“I look forward to seeing the amazing work and creations that will be produced by my friends in the years to come. Congratulations to all my fellow graduates and friends!"
Helena Westerman – Outstanding Screenwriting Student Award Winner
“Winning the screenwriter's award was an incredibly joyful moment, and it's one I'll remember. When I started writing my feature film, I knew that that it was ambitious - an ensemble piece with eight main characters. I wanted to challenge myself, and what better place to experiment than at LFS!
“It's reassuring to know that the risk paid off and it's given me confidence as I enter into the big wide world of screenwriting. I also feel greatly honoured to have been the first student to make a speech at the graduation ceremony. I fully lived my 'Elle Woods' fantasy!
“I really wanted to use it as an opportunity to unify all the students, to say that the opportunity to get to know each other hasn't gone. We will always be connected by our time at this school, by our passion and by our talent. It's the people around us that will help build our careers so let's start now. And with that in mind my email address is helenagwesterman@gmail.com (for all your writing needs). Can't blame a girl for hustling!"
We couldn’t be prouder of our grads and look forward to seeing where the next steps in their career takes them. No doubt there will be bright achievements on the horizon for all! Best of luck and congratulations once again.
Don’t forget, you can download the 2024 Graduate Showcase Booklet here. Additionally, all films have now been removed from the Graduate Showcase website, if there are any films you would like to watch please email us at marketing@lfs.org.uk for a link.