BFI SCENE x Into Film: Screening and Mixer
Entry
Free
Date
Thu 25 Sep 2025
Time
1–4pm
Location
Foyle Rooms
Join us for an afternoon of film, conversation and connection at one of our special screening and mixer events for aspiring filmmakers aged 16-25.
Rooted in themes of world-building, the sea, and ancient histories reimagined to envision new futures, this screening of BFI NETWORK shorts showcases powerful stories from emerging filmmakers in the South East. Each film explores a unique narrative, brought to life through inventive and personal storytelling styles.
During the event, you’ll also hear from industry professionals about current opportunities for young filmmakers – including funding, development programmes, and ways to get involved.
After the screening, stick around for a relaxed mixer where you can connect with fellow attendees, meet potential collaborators, and chat with our speakers.
This event is open to all young creatives interested in filmmaking from aspiring directors and storytellers to actors and costume designers.
Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Schedule:
- 1pm: Doors, grab a snack
- 1.10pm: Welcome
- 1.15pm: BFI NETWORK Shorts Screening
- 1.55pm: Break
- 2.05pm: HAPPY SNAPS + Q&A with Tyro Heath
- 3pm: Mixer
- 4pm: End
Our current exhibition is open between 10am - 5pm.
About the films
A selection of powerful short films by emerging filmmakers from the South East. Each film explores unique narratives through inventive and personal storytelling styles.
Traces
There is a photograph of a child left on the moon, a golf ball, flags, a lost glove. When the glamour of space exploration fades, what remains?
Credits
Director: Tilly Wallace
Producer: Markus Ovre
Executive Producer: Thomas Wightman
Editor: Markus Ovre
Screenwriter: Tilly Wallace
Sound: Markus Ovre
New Atlantis
While exploring an abandoned building, two friends discover a recording of a woman who claims to be the last citizen of a lost Utopia.
Credits
Director: Matt Smith
Producer: Rhian Smith
Executive Producer: Thomas Wightman, Niamh Coogan
Editor: Matt Smith
Screenwriter: Matt Smith
Director of Photography: Matt Smith
Production Designer: Rhian Smith
Sound: Simon Clode
Composer: Matt Smith, Keir Vine, Alex Hyland
Principal cast: Katie Smale, Benjamin Aluwihare, Alana Ramsey, Oliviero Papi
Armstrong
A woman secretly watches her crush from across the factory floor. The moon disappears. Things start to fall apart. With the world breaking into pieces like a giant jigsaw puzzle and her crush’s life in danger, our heroine struggles to hold herself together. How will she solve this moon mystery? Time to go out on a limb and take matters into her own hands. Armstrong is a film about strength that plays with the building blocks of the universe.
Credits:
Director: Russ Etheridge
Producer: Ayndrilla Singharay
Executive Producer: Thomas Wightman
Screenwriter: Ayndrilla Singharay, Russ Etheridge
Sound: Mutant Jukebox
Composer: Mutant Jukebox
Peregrine
When a boy is pushed by his father to steal a rare peregrine egg, he finds strength in the natural world to stand up to his father, and experiences his first sense of freedom.
Credits
Director: Aasaf Ainapore
Producer: Anu Anderson, Frank Macpherson
Executive Producer: Thomas Wightman
Editor: Heppie Collins
Screenwriter: Aasaf Ainapore
Director of Photography: Ronnie McQuillan
Production Designer: Sasha Webster
Sound: Antonios Moutzianou
Composer: Arron Croft
Principal cast: Finlay Herarty, Matthew Fraser-Holland
HAPPY SNAPS
This sensitively made short film follows Gabriel and Sami, two young boys who live on the Isle of Sheppey. They are best friends, but as they play on the beach and mess around with an old camera, they know that their remaining time together is limited, as Gabriel, who has cerebral palsy, is about to move away with his family. He has told Sami it is because of his mum’s job, but there’s something else that he hasn’t told him. Both boys struggle with their feelings as they wonder what the future holds. Exploring topics including health, rural spaces and growing up, this film captures the genuine care of childhood friendships and offers a sensitive and un-patronising representation of disability and inclusion.
Credits
Writer & Director: Tyro Heath
Producer: Chloe King
Line Producer: Jana Psenkova
Executive Producer BFI Network: Aaliah Simpson
About Into Film
Into Film is the UK’s leading charity for film in education and the community. We provide screen industry careers information and advice, support young filmmakers, and bring the power of moving image storytelling into classroom teaching. The core Into Film programme is free for UK state schools, colleges and other youth settings, thanks to support from the BFI, awarding National Lottery good cause funding and through other key funders including Cinema First and Northern Ireland Screen.
About Young Film Network South East
Young Film Network South East covers Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Surrey and Sussex. We work with venues and organisations across these counties with the aim of increasing access to and appreciation of cultural cinema among 16–25 year olds, and encourage a greater awareness of strategic progression routes for young people within the industry.
