Channel 4 and Bradford Council tie-in leads to filmmakers event

With a brief of communicating the ‘unseen, unheard and unsayable’ truths, each short film engaged the audience in different ways and touched on topics such as body dysmorphia, personal insights into crisis care, an unusual romance between two different cultures, plus a deeper look into the power of a simple act of kindness.

The event followed the partnership between Bradford Council and Channel 4 and is a celebration of the films produced by filmmakers supported by Short Form Content Award from Bradford Council and Channel 4.

A group of filmmakers in Bradford had their work shown at a special event (Image: Bradford Council)

The fund supported and enabled aspiring filmmakers from across the district to progress their careers, with the film hub The Unit providing filmmaking support to the individuals.

Phil Barker, Assistant Director Sport & Culture at Bradford Council, said: “The showcase event was truly brilliant. Each short film told its own story, with some drawing on the personal experience of the maker.

“The range of content produced by these individuals was incredible and I’m positive that these aspiring filmmakers will continue to thrive in the industry.

“This ongoing partnership between Bradford Council and Channel 4 is one that will be instrumental for the district and its legacy.

“It’s so important that we provide creatives with industry-based opportunities and give them a platform to showcase their work.”

It wil all smiles between Bradford district filmmakers at the event (Image: Bradford Council)

Ally McCrae, Digital Development Producer, Channel 4, said: "Channel 4 is committed to nurturing new talent and generating opportunities so people can showcase their creativity and take their first steps into the industry.

“It’s been fantastic to work with these aspiring filmmakers and see how their projects have come to life and the connections they have made while working on the briefs, it will all go a long way to helping their future careers.

“At Channel 4, we want to harness the creativity of people from across the UK and The Unit is a brilliant example of how we can work with partners to do just that.”

For more information on The Unit, go to sites.google.com/impacthub.net/theunitbradford/

Bradford Council in partnership with Channel 4 welcomed selected guests to a special private viewing earlier this week, which showcased powerful, relevant, and memorable short films made by some of the district’s aspiring filmmakers.

With a brief of communicating the ‘unseen, unheard and unsayable’ truths, each short film engaged the audience in different ways and touched on topics such as body dysmorphia, personal insights into crisis care, an unusual romance between two different cultures, plus a deeper look into the power of a simple act of kindness.

The event followed the partnership between Bradford Council and Channel 4 and is a celebration of the films produced by filmmakers supported by Short Form Content Award from Bradford Council and Channel 4.

The fund supported and enabled the aspiring filmmakers from across the district to progress their careers, with the film hub The Unit providing filmmaking support to the individuals.

Phil Barker, Assistant Director Sport & Culture at Bradford Council, said: “The showcase event was truly brilliant. Each short film told its own story, with some drawing on the personal experience of the maker. The range of content produced by these individuals was incredible and I’m positive that these aspiring filmmakers will continue to thrive in the industry. This ongoing partnership between Bradford Council and Channel 4 is one that will be instrumental for the district and its legacy. It’s so important that we provide creatives with industry-based opportunities and give them a platform to showcase their work.”

Ally McCrae, Digital Development Producer, Channel 4, said: ‘Channel 4 is committed to nurturing new talent and generating opportunities so people can showcase their creativity and take their first steps into the industry. It’s been fantastic to work with these aspiring filmmakers and see how their projects have come to life and the connections they have made while working on the briefs, it will all go a long way to helping their future careers. At Channel 4, we want to harness the creativity of people from across the UK and The Unit is a brilliant example of how we can work with partners to do just that.’

For more information on The Unit and what they have to offer, please visit: https://sites.google.com/impacthub.net/theunitbradford/

Ends

For more information please contact: alice.marshall@bradford.gov.uk

Notes to editors

Photos from the screening event: 

Some of the films that were shown include:

James C Thompson - Paula Says Hi

Starring Paul/Paula, Director James C Thompson, Director of Photography Nathan J Allan, Sound Recordist Wesley Tatterton,  Composer Joseph Collier.

A documentary exploring inclusivity within the cosplay community, through the vibrant lens of Paula: a 52-year-old disabled crossdresser. Paula is a self-proclaimed and unapologetic part-time woman. The film is directed by James Thompson, an LGBTQ+ filmmaker with a passion for telling stories about the extraordinary. James has previously undertaken a story lining role on Hollyoaks, as well as projects for Netflix and HBO.

Kenton Thomas - Imagine If Black Boys Just Smiled At Each Other

Directed by Kenton Thomas, produced by Jamie Swaby, Director of Photography Benjamin Wong. Starring Adrian Richards as Man #1 and Nathan Graham Man #2.

A black man interrogates his experiences of encountering other black men on the street - and the extreme polar reactions he receives. The love, hate reaction. Reality blurs with his imagination and we are taken from the streets of Bradford, to an Afrofuturist pub, to an Elizabethan stage and back again. All in the pursuit to break a stereotype, and share Black Boy Joy.

Lewis Coates - Me & the Witch

Directed by Gage Oxley, produced by Lewis Coates, written by Kamaal Khan, starring Bruce Herbelin-Earle and Akshay Shah.

A love at first sight tale between Kass – a British-Bangladeshi Cambridge graduate from BD3 - who magically meets Dorian – a closeted middle-class witch who lives in Ilkley with his Nana Agnes, who is trying to turn him straight to continue her sinister bloodline. What happens when two souls from two different worlds collide? Is their love true or are Dorian’s powers manipulating Kass?

Sally Ogden - Losing My Mind

Filmed, produced and directed by Sally Ogden, filmed and edited by Marcus Lee, starring Emma Jeng.

An authored documentary film by Bradfordian Sally Ogden who’s worked in current affairs television for the past 14 years helping to tell other people’s difficult stories. Sally revisits crisis care services in Bradford, 25 years after her own mental health struggles began. With incredible access to one of the fourth emergency services in Britain, the mental health crisis teams. Sally shines a light on the work of the team whilst weaving her own painful story throughout, exploring the reality that shame is never far away from this life changing experience but hope is an option.

Suman Hanif - A Happy Ending

Produced by Pageful Productions Limited, produced and written by Suman Hanif and Eleanor Roberts, directed by Christopher Deakin, starring Gemma Whiteley and Adam Mercury Brown

Ms Lizzie Who's marriage would have been ideal if it wasn't for the orgasm gap. After 5 years of fifty shades of grey, the deflated wife decides to go spiritual but things take the worse turn when the husband mistakenly walks into the 'happy ending' massage room. Devastated Lizzie decides to call it an end on a reality court show 'out of order' Acclaimed Judge Hope, wants to help the couple come together but secrets unravel and it turns out that one of them is yet to find out their real sexual orientation.