Once again, we are pleased to shine the key lights on our incredible students, grads and alumni. Continue reading to learn about their excellent success stories. If you have any exciting news you’d like to share, don’t hesitate to get in touch, we want to hear all about it! Don’t forget you can sign up to our alumni newsletter here to get the updates direct to your inbox.
First up we have screenwriting alumna Julia (Ulla) Prida, whose second film Bajo el mismo sol (Under The Same Sun) is set to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival! Ulla and fellow IFB alumna Alexandra Santana produced the film which is from the Dominican Republic (Wooden Boat Productions) and in co-production with Spain (Fasten Films). Congratulations to you both!
“1819. A young Spanish heir, a Chinese weaver, and a Haitian deserter struggle to find their place and humanity in the tense cultural crossroads of the colonial Caribbean. They embark on the ambitious endeavor of establishing a silk factory in the heart of the island of Hispaniola.”
Next we have Emilia Cotella (writer-director) and John Mathis (co-director) on The Devil Whispered My Name winning Best National Feature Film at Terror Córdoba Film Festival in Argentina where it also premiered! The win is made even more special as Argentina is Emilia's home country too. Congrats Emilia and John!
We’re delighted to share more success for Pablo Saura’s short film Love Lost. The film will be opening the Regina International Film Festival and Awards. This is a Canadian Screen Awards-qualifying festival and is where it will have its Canadian premiere. Love Lost will also be screening at Worcester Film Festival as part of the Official Selection and is the film’s third BIFA-qualifying festival! Well done also to IFB alumna Camila Basora-Oliveira, who worked as a producer on the film. Congrats!
"I wasn’t sure a small queer short by a Spanish immigrant could find its place in the UK. I’m grateful Love Lost did—and that it’s even found audiences abroad. I’m very looking forward to tackling a Spanish-language project next."
Finally it's a pleasure to report that filmmaking alumna, Zhannat Alshanova’s debut feature Becoming will be premiering at Locarno Film Festival! Congratulations!
"In today’s Kazakhstan, 17-year-old Mila can no longer bear the chaos of her family life. When she discovers an open-water swimming team led by the enigmatic Vlad, she joins, drawn by the promise of structure and belonging. But when her place is threatened, her fear of losing it starts to grow, and Mila must soon decide how far she’s willing to go to preserve the fragile balance she’s built."
Photo credits (top to bottom)
Bajo el mismo sol (Under The Same Sun) BTS by Alize Jireh, dir: Ulises Porra
Emilia Cotella and John Mathis
Love Lost, wri-dir: Pablo Saura
Becoming, wri-dir: Zhannat Alshanova