Media students create big screen submissions for second Beacon Film Festival

Media students at Oaklands College will have the opportunity to have their cinematic creations shown on the big screen at this year’s Beacon Film Festival, to be held in Welwyn Garden City.

This is the second year BTEC Creative Media and Foundation Degree students have been involved in the film festival with Hertfordshire’s Victim Care Centre Beacon, which invites filmmakers from all across the world to submit films focused on experiencing on being a victim of crime.

In addition to a shortlist of films shown to audiences at the festival this year the event also will deliver a dynamic programme of filmmaking and victims’ awareness workshops to highlight the impact crime has on its victims.

The festival will take place at Campus West in Welwyn Garden City from 7^th – 9^th February, culminating with screening on the submissions to the festival on the evening of Friday 9^th February.

Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, David Lloyd said: “Film offers a very powerful way to tell a story and so this festival will really highlight the awful consequences crime has on its victims. Last year the standard was very high with some remarkable films that covered a wide range of subjects, such as; domestic abuse, hate crime and sexual assault.

“In addition, this year there are a variety of workshops which will provide more information on issues like modern slavery, cyberstalking and the impacts of crime on victims. This festival is a great opportunity to put victims at the top of the agenda, allowing them to take back their lives.”

Oliver Samuel, Lecturer and Filmmaker, Oaklands College said: “We’re all really excited about the second Beacon Film Festival. Students have been working hard producing a range of different films and we have had lots of international submissions too. 

“We are hoping to build on last year’s success and looking forward to delivering a number of exciting filmmaking and photography workshops which will focus on the impact crime has on victims and indeed the broader community.”

More information on the events that are taking place can be found on the Commissioner’s website; http://www.hertscommissioner.org/

All events are free of charge and open to anyone apart from the film screenings which are 15 or over. 

Short-listed films will receive a BEACON Film Festival ‘Official Selection’ laurel leaves award and one overall winner will receive a ‘Best International Film’ laurel leaves award.

The film festival will start at 7pm, tickets are free. To attend, please register your interest here.