Mozalfa’s film gets big screen showing

A budding filmmaker from Bradford College has spoken of her delight at seeing her work shown on the big screen.

A-level student Mozalfa Ilyas was a proud audience member at the National Science and Media Museum for the premiere of a film she helped put together as part of the BFI Film Academy Bradford.

She was the cinematographer and editor for one of three films made by young filmmakers in the academy exploring subjects including anxiety and the dangers of social media.

BFI Film Academies take place across the country every year with the aim of helping those looking to study film and work in the industry gain valuable skills and insight.

The Bradford BFI Academy is funded by the Department for Education and delivered by Yorkshire film agency Reel Solutions.

Mozalfa, who is doing A-level Film Studies, Media Studies and Photography at Bradford College Sixth Form, was thrilled she landed one of the coveted places on the eight-day intensive course.

She said: “I was able to fully experience film creation for the first time in a professional manner using professional equipment and working alongside others to reach the same end goal, which was an amazing short film.

“During the project I attended masterclasses with different creators within the industry which allowed me to prepare for our film creations to come. I was the cinematographer and one of the editors for the film and so I captured all the shots. Then we edited the film ready for the premiere, which also required me to make a film poster for the press release.

“The best thing about being a part of the projects has to be that once the films were created we got to premiere them at the Science and Media Museum in a private screening.

“Jason, my Film Studies teacher, mentioned the BFI Film Academy during one of our lessons. It really interested me so when I got home I put my application through and in January I was happy to find out that I was given a place. I am so glad I got to take part.

“One day I hope to become a cinematographer, an editor and then a director so I am able to experience as much of the film process as possible.”

For three years in a row students from Bradford College’s A-level Film Studies course have beaten off stiff competition to land a spot with the BFI Academy which is limited to just 40 young filmmakers between the ages of 16-19 years.

The BFI Film Academy Bradford includes filmmaking workshops, practical sessions and talks with highly-regarded, award-winning industry professionals including Connal Orton, an executive producer at the BBC who has produced shows including  All At Sea and the 4 O’Clock Club.