Final-year filmmakers win top praise from illustrious industry panel

Final-year filmmaking students’ work has garnered high praise from a host of industry luminaries, including Russell T Davies, at the annual Filmmaking Awards. 

Acclaimed screenwriter and producer Davies, whose work includes Queer as Folk, It’s a Sin, Years and Years, and the recently released Tip Toe, praised the students’ “excellent” work for its “youth, vitality and energy”.  

He was joined by a star-studded judging panel including Oscar-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins (1917, Skyfall, No Country for Old Men) of Team Deakins, BFI Film Hub North, and Picture Shop Post-Production. 

Production designer Bobbie Cousins also joined the panel, whose work includes Finding Emily and the award-winning Hoard, which was produced by filmmaking programme leader at the University’s School of Digital Arts (SODA), Loran Dunn. 

The third-year SODA students were presented with a range of awards across 10 categories, presented on June 15 at The Odeon in Manchester. 

Culling won the award for Best Screenplay, awarded to May Huaraka, Best Cinematography, awarded to Joe Nicholls, and Best Producer, awarded to Amelie Ingrouille. 

Russell T Davies, who judged the award for Best Screenplay, said: “The award went to a script that had a powerful strangeness to it – mystery, comradeship, love and tenderness, as well as laughter.  

“It shows that writing is very often not writing. This had a tautness and quiet to it. The entire plot was reduced to three words. Congratulations – a really, really excellent film. 

“I’ve loved watching these films, there’s so much youth, vitality and energy in them. This is great, great work and all the students should be very proud of themselves.” 

May Huaraka, writer and director of Culling, said: “Thank you so much for the award, and kind words from Russell T. Davies, and all the love Culling received on Monday night.  

“I’m extremely grateful to my crew and the tutors, and to external support who contributed towards the film. Without them, this film would have stayed an idea.” 

Amelie Ingrouille, Best Producer, added: “I am so incredibly thankful for the awards Culling received. Making Culling was an intense process, made simpler by such a dedicated and trusting team. I am so pleased that we have been able to voice a topic of this importance on screen through the help of our talented crew.” 

Student Joe Nicholls who won Best Cinematography for Culling, added: “I’m truly honoured that my work was reviewed and selected by the GOAT himself, Roger Deakins, and James Deakins. There’s something surreal about having my visuals assessed by the cinematographer whose work shaped so much of how I see. 

“I want to say thank you to my team for trusting me to help bring such a beautiful, poignant story to life…A big shoutout, too, to all the tutors who were there to support our needs and ambitions every step of the way.”

Loran Dunn, Programme Leader in Filmmaking at SODA, added: “This is always a proud time of year for all BA Filmmaking staff, recognising and celebrating the huge achievement of our graduating filmmakers.   

“But this year especially we have seen an ambition, determination, and collaborative spirit that has raised the bar of creativity and professionalism, resulting in stand-out films, and huge personal achievements. Stories that are deeply personal, others that are wildly original, all brave and bold, and all made with distinct voice and vision, brilliantly showcasing their talent as future leaders of this industry.”