Staff

Rafael is a London-based, award-winning writer/director, media lecturer, screenplay development and new media technology consultant. Since 2006 he has created some of the most distinctive short and feature films that have won over twenty five international awards at toptier festivals such as Cannes, Oberhausen, Austin, New Horizons and Brest. His feature debut 'Butterfly Kisses' (BBC Films/Film London/Microwave/Blue Shadows Films) won the Crystal Bear at the 2017 Berlin International Film Festival. His feature project 'Up on the Roof' won Cannes Film Festival’s prestigious Cinefondation Residence award. His short 'To Bury The Horse' was a finalist in the 2011 Bosh Stiftung Competition. He also worked as script supervisor on Nina Gantz’s BAFTA-winning short animation 'Edmond' (over fifty international awards). He is currently in development with a comedy Cranley Gardens (Blue Shadows Films, IFP), Budapest Diaries (Domino Films, PISF) and a television series 'Tumbleweed' (Racine Media). He is also attached to adapt and direct Alex Gino’s best-selling novel George (Racine Media). Rafael has taught all aspects of fiction directing, practical filmmaking and script development at The London Film School, The Central London Film School, The London Film Academy and The Northern Film School. 

Sue has worked in independent film and television production since 1982.  Her career began at the now legendary Goldcrest Films, where she worked for four years on programmes produced for the new Channel 4. After Goldcrest’s collapse Sue spent a short time as a freelance script editor, before joining Granada Films as Head of Development.  Whilst there she worked on a number of feature films including David Hare’s STRAPLESS and Aisling Walsh’s first feature, JOYRIDERS.  Sue left Granada to co-produce the medical thriller, PAPER MASK, co-funded by Film 4 and British Screen, released in over 70 territories and selected as the closing film in Director’s Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival in 1990. 

Sue then spent 5 years working at the European Script Fund, part of the MEDIA (Creative Europe) organisation and returned to production in 1997 with her first television film, VICIOUS CIRCLE, developed and produced for BBC Films and Irish Screen. This was followed by the BAFTA nominated comedy drama DONOVAN QUICK starring Colin Firth. Over the next twelve years she produced more than 50 hours of primetime television drama for BBC1, BBC2 and ITV and received a second BAFTA nomination.

She continues to develop new productions as well as tutoring and lecturing part time at the London Film School, Goldsmiths University, Serial Eyes and Regents University.

Timo Heinänen F.S.C., cinematographer and previously a professor at Aalto University, Finland. Heinänen’s established career as a cinematographer and educator is irreprehensible; he is skilled across features, short films, documentaries, tv and commercials for over 30 years, with deep educational practice alongside serving as deputy board member of the European Federation of Cinematographers (IMAGO) educational committee, Vice President of Finnish Society of Cinematographers (F.S.C.) and speaker at the ASC International Cinematographers Summit. Heinänen is currently in pre-production on ‘Puluboin ja Ponin leffa’ (2018).

Of Sierra Leonean origins, Umpha is a highly respected technician having risen through the ranks in projection and exhibition in Sierra Leone from an apprenticeship at the Rivoli Cinema in 1977 to senior and then chief operator in various cinemas in his career. Umpha later became the regional film programmer for Morta Theatres which led to the position of general manager of Metro cinema/Morta theatre Makeni branch where he presided till the infamous dissident rebel incursion in the country in 1991 which prompted his return to the United Kingdom that same year. Since 1991 Umpha has been involved in top London cinemas doing many major film festivals, high profile screenings and premiers at venues like The Prince Charles Cinema, The Electric, Mainline’s Screen Cinemas and as technical manager of the former Oasis Cinemas Ritzy in Brixton and The Gate in Notting Hill. After a stint at the luxurious Himalaya Palace in Southall, Umpha decided to leave mainstream exhibition venues and render services in technical, creative and educational institutions like MPC – The Moving Picture Company screening room and London Film School where he currently works. Umpha was also Screentrade magazine’s technical advisor and chief troubleshooter, and amongst other things, wrote 'From Beyond the Porthole', which offered projectionists valuable time and money saving tips.