WATERSPRITE FILM FESTIVAL
DIRECTOR’S WELCOME
Welcome to Watersprite 2025!
This marks the 16th year of the festival since its inception in 2009, and is set to be the most exciting yet. As the largest student film festival in the world, Watersprite has supported 100,000 students from over 100 countries worldwide. Our commitment to accessibility within the film industry, forging career paths for young people and bringing them together in a celebration of remarkable creative work is unparalleled. We are delighted to welcome you to our festival of screenings, talks, and community building events, all of which are free to attend in person and online. Alongside an incredible, diverse events programme, this year we will spotlight the work of 36 student filmmakers, whose respective films have been selected from a record breaking 2,000
submissions. The films will be screened across the weekend in Queens’ College’s Fitzpatrick Hall, followed by Q&As with the filmmakers – who are able to join us thanks to the incredible support of Amazon MGM Studios. The winners will be announced at our hallmark Awards Ceremony with Amazon MGM Studios; it promises to be a truly inspirational evening.
We would not be able to run without the tireless dedication of our student committee who have put so much passion into the festival over the last year. Their support is invaluable, as is the guidance of our wonderful board of Trustees and Steering Committee. Thank you especially to our Festival Chair, Hilary Bevan Jones, whose dedication to the festival has seen it flourish to new heights over 16 years. A special mention should also go to Festival Producer Flora O’Neill and Development Director Amber Hyams. The time and energy that they have given the festival over the past year is inspirational, and this weekend would not be possible without them. Thank you finally to our wonderful guests and friends of the festival for joining us this weekend – with you, we can celebrate the future of film!
Lily O’Neill Festival Director, 2025
FESTIVAL MAP
Cambridge, UK
1. Old Divinity School, St. John’s College, All Saints Passage, CB2 1TP
2. Fitzpatrick Hall, Queens’ College, Cambridge, CB3 9ET
3. Zoology Museum, David Attenborough Building, Downing Pl, Cambridge CB2 3EJ
4. Cambridge Arts Picturehouse, 38-39 St Andrew’s St, CB2 3AR
5. University Arms Hotel, Regent St, CB2 1AD
6. Kettle’s Yard, Castle St, Cambridge CB3 0AQ
WATERSPRITE GLOBAL LOCAL
We are proud to be a hybrid festival, making our events and films accessible to international audiences across the globe. Be sure to get a free online festival pass to watch our events on demand. You can also watch all the nominated films until the 14th March.
Get your in-person tickets and online festival pass with this QR code:
ACCESSIBILITY
All events in the Old Divinity School and the Fitzpatrick Hall are wheelchair and reduced-mobility accessible, with accessible toilets.
For more information, please see:
John’s College
Queens’ College
Our events will have live-captioning available via your personal devices. For more information please see our website or ask a volunteer at the door.
To contact us about accessible seating, or any other access questions, please email info@watersprite.org.uk.
Reservation does not guarantee entry. Please arrive 15 minutes before the event to claim your place.
Please note that all of our events will be recorded and there may be photographers present.
FRIDAY 7TH MARCH
OLD DIVINITY SCHOOL FITZPATRICK HALL,QUEEN’S COLLEGE KETTLE’S YARD Creative Futures Day
11:30- 13:00 Screening: GIRLHOOD
13:30 - 15:00
15:15 - 16:45
17:30- 22:00 RTS East Student Television Awards
Screening: (DIS)CONNECTIONS
Screening: UPROOTED
18:30- 22:00 Opening Ceremony (Invite Only)
SATURDAY 8TH MARCH
MAIN HALL LIGHTFOOT ROOM FITZPATRICK HALL MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY
11:00 - 12:00 Making Your First Feature
11:30 - 13:00 Screening: RETURN
12:30 - 13:30 Setting the Scene: An International Women’s Day Special Docs That Make a Difference
13:15 - 14:45
Screening: OBSESSIONS
13:30 - 14:30 Inside the Audition Room Ask the Lawyers
15:00 - 16:00 Lights, Camera, Action: The Role of the The Art of Intimacy
15:00 - 16:30 Screening: APPEARANCES
19:30 - 23:00 Watersprite Awards with Amazon MGM Studios (Invite only)
SUNDAY 9TH MARCH
11:00 - 12:30 Winning Film Screening
13:00-14:00 Do Not Try This At Home Curating Queer Screen
14:00-15:00 Into the TARDIS: Developing Doctor Who 15:30-16:30 Watersprite Closing Session 2025
In-Person Disruption
For guests joining us in-person on Sunday 9th March, we would like to draw your attention to the Cambridge Half-Marathon which is happening across Cambridge and may cause delay or disrupt your access to the venues. For more information and to see a map of its route please see here: https://cambridgehalfmarathon.com/
THE WATERSPRITE TEAM
Meet the team behind the largest student film festival in the world, comprised of students at Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Cambridge.
Lily O’Neill Festival Director
Rosie Parrish Head of Creative Futures
Fahim Afzal Co-Head of Communications
Isaac Jackson Head of Awards Yii-Ling Deng Co-Head of Events
Tully Hyams Co-Head of Partnerships
Anuk Weerawardana Co-Head of Communications
Nell Thackray Co-Head of Events
Charlotte Wiltshire Co-Head of Partnerships
Sabina Dichiu Head of Creative Design
Karina Bhojwani Head of Video Production
Molly O’Neill Head of Ceremonies
THE WATERSPRITE TEAM
Festival Producer:
Flora O’Neill
Development Director
Amber Hyams
Festival Trustees:
Hilary Bevan Jones
Brian Woods
Femi Ladeinde
Kat Blair
Farhana Bhula
Helen Simmons
Nick Swimer
Bernadette Schramm
Dorothy Byrne
Steering Committee
Anna Keeley
Isobel Leigh
Chiara Di Filippo
Charlotte Matheson
Hannah Collins
Awards Team
Alice Jenkins
Anna Yew
Atlanta Tsiaoukkas
Caitlin Davenport
Candela Gil
Edward Xu
Lottie Wood
Sofya Boruleva
Tessa Mullen
Tommy Martin
Siya Jagannathan
Partnerships Team
Anjali Darling
Annabelle d’Andigné
Bear Stephenson
Doa Acikgun
Emily Knutsson
Emma Dufine
Leo Hessian
Lily Alford
Meggie Boyle
Communcations Team
Ada Su Tuna
Amelia Greenwood
Gulara ‘Jay’ Yolchiyeva
Lillian Jones
Lily Burridge
Madeleine Frost
Millie Trsic
Events Team
Alex Velody
Andreas Marcou
Eva Weinstein
Freddie Dobbs
Gina Stock
Jago Spiers
James Fraser
Joseph Israel
Katie Burge
Lucy Miller
Madeleine Robertson
Sophie Campbell
Video Production Team
Alexsandra Adelaja
Barbara Foliot
Emmett Lathrop
Jake Elkins
Kian Hoey
Matthew Bowery
Nikita Nwokoro
Olivia Frith-Salem
TC Garysson
Victor Verdu Bernal
Creative Futures Team
Amelia Mitchell
Aryan Misra
Jana Abdel Aty
Matilda Barker
Oriane Castera
Sam Misan
Ceremonies Team
Cara Bossom
Carissa Wong
Eoin McCaul
Freya Williams
Katherine Reynish
Creative Design Team
Moses Somolu
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME
The Watersprite Mentorship programme pairs Watersprite filmmakers with industry professionals who help guide them at a pivotal moment in their careers. The scheme continues to supports career development of underrepresented filmmakers and addresses inequality in the film industries, forming part of Watersprite’s
objectives to strive towards a more inclusive, diverse future of film and support emerging talent.
We are proud to announce our three new mentees for 2025 are: Smahi Anand, India, Irene Lopez, Sweden, Holly Firkins, UK.
FILM SCREENINGS
Our 29 nominated films have been carefully sorted into 6 screenings by our student curators. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A with a selection of the nominated filmmakers. The films are also available to watch on our online festival platform from 1st March until 14th March.
Winning Films Screening
On Sunday 9th March, we will be screening a selection of the winning films, celebrating the very best of emerging talent.
SCREENING : GIRLHOOD
Date: Friday 7th March
Time: 11:30-13:00 GMT
Location: Fitzpatrick Hall, Queens’ College
All of the films in this screening explore the turmoil of female adolescence, as it is experienced across a range of cultural traditions. These stories strike right at the heart of what it means to exist on
Silent Cycle (India, 21’33)
Nominated for Seven.One Studios Fiction (Smahi Anand) and United Agents Performance (Akshara Padwal).
the precipice between girlhood and womanhood – and all the pressures, both interior and exterior, that it entails.
There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers at this event.
Content notices: Sexism and/or misogyny, Homophobia, Blood.
Midnight on MSN (France, 22’00)
Nominated for Production Design (Camille Pezet Amirat) and United Agents Performance (Eurydice Correia).
Fifteen (UK, 18’20)
Nominated for Costume Design (Zain Gibson).
I Think I’m Going to Die (Singapore, 5’10)
Nominated for Animation and Casarotto Ramsay Directing (Ning Xuan Tan).
SCREENING : (DIS)CONNECTIONS
Date: Friday 7th March
Time: 13:30-15:00 GMT
Location: Fitzpatrick Hall, Queens’ College
At the heart of these four films lies the vexed question of humanity’s relationship with technology. Puzzling over the boundaries between the human and the non-human, these stories compel us to consider what new forms of ‘connection’ (whether welcome or hostile) we might be able
to discover in an increasingly mediated world.
There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers at this event.
Content notices: Death, Grief, Pornographic content, Suicide and/or self-injurious behaviours (e.g. self harm, eating disorders).
Heartware (Germany, 15’00)
Nominated for Sound Design (Jan-Eric Heitland and Elias Gürtler) and Production Design (Leonie Enslin).
Sequoia (Switzerland, 15’08)
Nominated for North Road Screenplay (Michelle Künzler).
Keep Out (Hong Kong, 8’09)
Nominated for Salon Editing (Tan-Lui Chan).
Hold… Please! (UK, 15’00)
Nominated for North Road Screenplay (Asa Gartland) and Original Film Music (Richard Johnsen).
SCREENING : UPROOTED
Date: Friday 7th March
Time: 15:15-16:45 GMT
Location: Fitzpatrick Hall, Queens’ College
What do you do if home no longer feels like a safe or familiar place? Spanning across the world, from Germany to Myanmar, these films explore the nuanced experiences of ‘uprooted’ people, plunged into new (and often dangerous) spaces and situations. We discover, at once, the source of their
Babylon? (UK, 7’59)
struggle – and, more often than not, a resolute sense of hope which allows them to keep moving forwards, against all the odds.
There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers at this event.
Content notices: Death, Grief, Mental Illness, Racism and/or racial slurs, Classism, Hateful language directed at religious groups (e.g. Islamophobia, anti-Semitism), Violence (excessive or gratuitous), Needles, Blood, Rape and/or sexual assault, War.
Tales of Exile (UK, 11’52)
Nominated for Experimental (Joseph Bowley).
Nominated for Documentary (Sambor Czarnawski-Iliev).
Nominated for Seven.One Fiction (Muschirf Shekh Zeyn), Wychwood Media Social Impact (Muschirf Shekh Zeyn), United Agents Performance Award (Amal Omran).
Rewinding Dominoes (UK, 16’58)
Nominated for Casarotto Ramsay Directing (Huiju Park).
SCREENING : RETURN
Date: Saturday 8th March
Time: 11:30-13:00 GMT
Location: Fitzpatrick Hall, Queens’ College
What remains and what returns? This series of films explores the ghostly resonances of memory, the ways that nostalgia, loss, and change can cause the past to irrupt, as if reanimated, in the present – and, in doing so, perhaps
Time Between Us (UK, 7’41)
Nominated for Cinematography (Noah Hecht).
alter the course of our futures.
There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers at this event.
Content notices: Grief.
Closeout (Lithuania, 16’20)
Nominated for Cinematography (Matas
Juškaitis).
Missionary (UK, 20’00)
Nominated for North Road Screenplay (Daniel Daniel).
A Flight of the Lost Dreamy Bird (India, 12’57)
Nominated for Casarotto Ramsay Directing and Experimental (Chaman Ramesh Kishan).
The Town of Dead Dreams (Canada, 14’20)
Nominated for Animation and Sound Design (Manisa Hope).
SCREENING : OBSESSIONS
Date: Saturday 8th March
Time: 13:15-14:45 GMT
Location: Fitzpatrick Hall, Queens’ College
How far would you be prepared to go to get what you want? To be like someone else, to live life on the other side, to pursue perfection? Ambition and desire orbit the worlds of these five films –unpredictable, pernicious, and always at risk of colliding.
Mist of Desires (UK, 4’20)
There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers at this event.
Content notices: Death, Blood, Suicide and/or self-injurious behaviours (e.g. self harm, eating disorders), Mental illness, Sexism and/or misogyny, Drug use, Abuse (physical, mental, emotional and/or sexual), Pregnancy and/or childbirth.
A Fish Story (Denmark, 14’30)
Nominated for Original Film Music (Jackson Seib) and Sound Design (Tom Bosher).
Nominated for Costume Design (Lili Conzen).
Fester (Canada, 7’18)
Nominated for Original Film Music (Maximilian Baranek).
Blind Eye (UK, 6’41)
Popper (UK, 14’46)
Nominated for Production Design (Juno Glover).
Nominated for Cinematography (Catharina Scarpellini) and Salon Editing (James Simpson).
SCREENING : APPEARANCES
Date: Saturday 8th March
Time: 15:00-16:00 GMT
Location: Fitzpatrick Hall, Queens’ College
How do we look at the world – and how does the world look back at us in return? This is the question animating this diverse array of films, which all possess an interest in exploring how differing modes of perception and expression might contribute to the making (and unmaking) of our identities and relationships with others.
There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers at this event.
Content notices: Nudity, Racism and/or racial slurs, Hateful language directed at religious groups (e.g. Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, Homophobia, Transphobia, Abuse (physical, mental, emotional, verbal and/or sexual, Classism.
This Is Not a Character, This is Betrayal (Germany, 13’20)
Nominated for Seven.One Fiction (Romina Küper).
ETCETERA (Sweden, 8’13)
Nominated for Salon Editing (Noel Heath).
A Mother Goes to the Beach
(Portugal, 15’31)
Nominated for Costume Design (Pedro Hasrouny).
The Night of the Wasp (Costa Rica, 18’00)
Nominated for Documentary and Wychwood Media Social Impact (Nacho Rodriguez).
Rojak (Malaysia, 7’14)
Nominated for Experimental (Juliana Reza).
Liminal Roots (UK, 4’20)
Nominated for Animation (Aliyah Harfoot).
WINNING FILMS SCREENING
9TH MARCH
Location: The Palmerston Room, St John’s College Time: 11:00
Join us in a final celebration as we re-screen a selection of winning films - announced at the Watersprite Awards Ceremony with Amazon MGM Studios.
Please note content warnings will be provided at the door.
FRIDAY EVENTS
CREATIVE FUTURES SPOTLIGHT
Creative Futures is back and better than ever!
This year, we have brought new opportunities to 16-18 year olds across Cambridgeshire, boosting knowledge about the film industry and where to get started alongside meeting like-minded young creatives in the local area.
Creative Futures Day is hands-on day of film workshops led by industry professionals, designed to demystify filmmaking for local schools. Through a series of workshops throughout the day, students will learn about film development, directing, and editing while gaining insider tips on starting their own projects. There will also an exclusive industry panel on breaking into the business, a Q&A with the workshop leader, and guest-list invites to the Royal Television Society East’s Student Awards for all particpants.
We have also been running workshops throughout the year, hosted at Anglia Ruskin University. At the phone filmmaking workshop, our Creative Futures team guided students through practical skills in shooting, editing, and
storytelling, before creating our own short film together, using our phone. We finished our run of workshops with ‘Creative Late’, a dynamic social event designed for young creatives to connect, spark ideas, and celebrate creativity!
Alongside these practical workshops, we hosted a number of special Watersprite screenings at the Cambridge Arts Picturehouse, showing a range of films including Moonlight and About Time. Our Young Film Programmers events are intended to provide screenings to young people in the local community to make the world of cinema more accessible for everyone.
RTS EAST STUDENT AWARDS
We are delighted to be hosting our RTS East Student Awards in collaboration with Watersprite Film Festival for the second year running, working together to champion emerging voices in the region
Who we are:
The Royal Television Society is an educational charity which encourages and celebrates work in television and its related fields, from finding out how the nation’s favourite shows are made, to acknowledging burgeoning talent at our annual Student Television Awards.
At RTS East, which includes Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, we recognise the fantastic work coming out of the region and run a programme of events, talks with industry figures, masterclasses and awards throughout the year. We are committed to supporting students and early career professionals in the industry and have good links with colleges and universities across the region.
Timings for RTS East Student Awards –Friday 7th March 2025.
18:15 Entrance and registration
18:15 - 19:00 Drinks reception
19:00 - 20:00 Awards Ceremony
20:00 - 22:00 Canapés and drinks
OPENING CEREMONY
Friday 7th March 2025
Kettle’s Yard
Doors Open: 18:30
Event: 19:00- 20:00
Drinks Reception: 20:00 - 22:00
SATURDAY EVENTS
THE FESTIVAL HUB
Located in St Johns’ Old Divinity School, the Festival Hub is the beating heart of our weekend. Here you will find opportunities to meet and mingle with fellow film lovers, learn more about everything Watersprite, and relax between events. You will have the chance to chat with up and coming filmmakers from our First Feature event and drop in to the Royal Television Society stall. Come speak to one of our sponsors, LucidLink, and maybe try your hand at operating some of ARRI’s spectacular camera equipment?
This is also the place to get your hands on our exclusive Watersprite 2025 merchandise and to enter our annual raffle. The top prize is two festival passes to Raindance (worth £300) and tickets are just £1 so be sure to try your luck!
So, visit the Hub to grab some merch, get a glimpse of our festival map and see the incredible, international reach of submissions this year. Take a sneak peak at what Watersprite Alumni are up to now and leave a message in our brand new festival diary...
If you’re interested in getting involved with the festival next year, or with other film opportunities in Cambridge, come to the Hub to find out more!
OPEN: Saturday 10:30 - 17:00 GMT Sunday 10:30 - 16:00 GMT
MAKING YOUR FIRST FEATURE
With Helen Simmons and Tyro Heath
Date: 8th March 2025, 11:00-12:00 GMT
Location: Main Hall, Old Divinity School
So you want to make a feature film, but don’t know where to start? Come join our panel of award-winning filmmakers to hear the best tips on how to get going.
Though feature-length filmmaking might appear worlds apart from student, amateur or short film, hear from the award-winning producer and writer Helen Simmons (Chubby Funny, Last Swim, Hoard) for her guidance into the world of professional filmmaking. We will dive into Helen’s filmmaking journey so far, including to the BAFTAnominated Hoard. Don’t miss the chance to gain valuable tips for breaking into the industry!
This event will be chaired by writer, director and photographer Tyro Heath who is currently working on her own first feature Ray on the Road.
Helen Simmons is a BAFTA longlisted producer, writer, and Screen Star of Tomorrow. She began her career as the student Festival Director of Watersprite, before making short films with directors such as Kate Herron and Chloe Wicks. Helen has gone on to produce many award-winning films such as HOARD, directed by Luna Carmoon, which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival (2023) and is nominated for a BAFTA this year.
Tyro Heath is a writer, director and photographer making short films and developing her first feature, a fatherdaughter movie. Her latest short ‘Happy Snaps’ was funded by the BFI NETWORK and premiered at the BFI London Film Festival 2024.
SETTING THE SCENE:
An International Women’s Day Special with Kave Quinn
Date: 8th March 2025, 12:30-13:30 GMT
Location: Main Hall, Old Divinity School
Celebrate International Women’s Day with a special event spotlighting the incredible career of acclaimed Production Designer Kave Quinn. From her iconic work on Trainspotting (1996) to the period worlds of Emma. (2020) and Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy (2025), Kave has redefined the art of production design across film and television.
Discover more about her creative process, what’s required to build captivating on-screen worlds, and her journey through the industry. This is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about the craft of creating the worlds for your favourite films.
There will be a chance for a Q&A with Kave during this session.
Kave Quinn’s first film as production designer was Danny Boyle’s directorial debut Shallow Grave in 1995. She then went on to design his iconic film Trainspotting. Her many film and TV projects include Autumn De Wilde’s Emma and Marc Webb’s Snow White release in March 2025.
DOCS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
With Anna Hall, Nick Read and Ayse Toprak
Date: 8th March 2025, 12:30-13:30 GMT
Location: Lightfoot Room, Old Divinity School
Howexactly can documentary filmmaking ignite change and inspire action? Join us for an insightful panel exploring the power of documentaries as a tool for social impact. Hear from leading documentary filmmakers who have successfully used their work to raise awareness, challenge perspectives, and influence public discourse on pressing global issues.
There will be a chance for a Q&A with Anna, Nick and Ayse during this session.
Nick Read is a BAFTA & EMMY nominated filmmaker with an extensive background in documentaries. An award-winning producer, director and cinematographer, he works freelance and develops projects through his independent production company Red Zed Films.
Ayse Toprak is a filmmaker from Istanbul. After working as in-house producer/ director for Al Jazeera in London, Doha, and Istanbul, she directed her first feature-length documentary entitled Mr. Gay Syria. Her second feature, My Name is Happy, which she co-directed, premiered at IDFA, won seven awards including the Griersons Award for best single documentary.
Anna Hall is a multi-award-winning Documentary Director and Founder & Chief Creative Officer of Candour Productions in Leeds. She set up Candour with the vision to create a home for filmmakers in the North which is truly inclusive and flexible in its approach.
INSIDE THE AUDITION ROOM
With Shaheen Baig
Date: 8th March 2025, 13:30-14:30 GMT
Location: Main Hall, Old Divinity School
Ever wondered how casting influences the stories we see on screen? A great casting is essential in bringing a script to life - where finding the right actor transforms the words on a page into a deeply compelling story filled with fullyrealised characters that audiences resonate with.
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Casting Director Shaheen Baig (Layla, Scrapper, Peaky Blinders) as she share her career highlights, industry insights, and tips for aspiring talent.
Whether you’re looking to break into the industry on-screen, or pursue a career behind the scenes, this session will guide you through the essential steps to get started and stand out!
There will be a chance for a Q&A during this session.
Shaheen Baig formed her own company in 2002 after assisting some of the world’s leading casting directors. Working across film and television, Shaheen has cast award winning work with new and established directors. Shaheen is known for her work on Peaky Blinders, Free Fire, Lady Macbeth, The Last Tree, Youth, God’s Own Country and many more.
ASK THE LAWYERS
With Nick Swimer, Lee Stone, Esme Briggs, Andrew Newman
Date: 8th March 2025, 13:30-14:30 GMT
Location: Lightfoot Room, Old Divinity School
Whatis at stake, legally speaking, when producing a film or TV programme? With practical guidance on ensuring creative projects remain protected and compliant, whether you’re a filmmaker, producer, or content creator, this event will put yourself in the best position to handle the legal side of your projects with confidence.
There will be a chance for a Q&A during this session.
Andrew Newman is a British television executive and producer. Newman was Head of Comedy and Entertainment at Channel 4, he was appointed Chief Executive of Objective Productions in 2009, and was Chairman of BAFTA’s Television Committee. He is now CEO of Spelthorne Community Television.
Lee Stone is a partner for Lee & Thompson across Film & TV. Lee’s practice is extremely diverse and his clients encompass production companies for whom he often structures complex international coproductions and some of the UK’s leading independent film financiers.
Nick Swimer is a partner working across Lee & Thompson’s Commercial and Film & TV Groups. In 2015, Nick brokered the deal between Channel 4 and Sacha Baron Cohen to set up Sacha’s UK production vehicle, Spelthorne Community Television (named after Ali G’s hometown).
Esmé Briggs is a Paralegal in the Lee & Thompson Film & TV department where she assists producers, sales agents, distributors and financiers on production-related matters.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION:
The Role of the Cinematographer
With Ben Smithard
Date: 8th March 2025, 15:00-16:00 GMT
Location: Main Hall, Old Divinity School
Ever wondered how breathtaking visuals are captured on screen? Step behind the camera and delve into the art of cinematography in this session with industry legend Ben Smithard (The Father, Downton Abbey, My Week with Marilyn). In this session we will explore the crucial role that cinematographers play in shaping the visual language of film and hear Ben discuss his incredible 28 years as a cinematographer.
Whether you’re drawn to the technical or artistic side of filmmaking, this session offers insights into the power that cinematography has in bringing stories to life. There will be a chance for a Q&A with Ben during this session.
Ben Smithard has been a Cinematographer for 28 years.
He has shot 18 Feature Films, over 20 TV Dramas, 700 Commercials, and 200 Music Videos. Ben is based in London and has shot Films and Commercials all over the world.
THE ART OF INTIMACY
With Robbie Taylor Hunt and Lucy Fennell
Date: 8th March 2025, 15:00-16:00 GMT
Location: Lightfoot Room, Old Divinity School
Diveinto the world of intimacy coordination for TV and film in this panel session, exploring the establishing of clear communication, consent, and choreography. In an ever-expanding industry, intimacy coordination is a necessarily growing field, essential to respectful working practices that collaboratively works with actors and directors to craft clear and creative content that upholds everyone’s boundaries.
Join industry professionals Robbie Taylor-Hunt (Pearl, Femme, Red, White & Royal Blue) and Lucy Fennell (Queen Charlotte, All of us Strangers, True Detective) in an enlightening and essential talk exploring the practicalities of intimacy coordination,
providing you with the tools and knowledge to create empowering, authentic and safe portrayals of intimacy on screen.
There will be a chance for a Q&A with Robbie and Lucy during this session.
Robbie Taylor Hunt is an Intimacy Director & Coordinator trained by Intimacy for Stage and Screen. He’s worked on television projects for Netflix, the BBC, ITV, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Disney+, Sky, Apple TV, Warner Bros, HBO and Channel 4.
Lucy Fennell is an Intimacy Director for live performance and an intimacy coordinator for TV and film. She is certified with Intimacy for Stage and Screen before going on to gain credits across a number of networks including Netflix, HBO, Disney, Apple and the BBC with shows including Queen Charlotte; A Bridgerton Story and True Detective; Night Country and the film All of Us Strangers.
WATERSPRITE AWARDS
WITH
19:15 - 23:00 on Saturday 8th March
Invite only
Brought to you by Amazon MGM Studios, our Awards Ceremony will celebrate the incredible work of 29 nominated films from 16 countries across the globe. From Costa Rica to Singapore, this is sure to be a spectacular evening of international talent.
SUNDAY EVENTS
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME
With Laura Vörtler
Date: 9th March 2025, 13:00-14:00 GMT
Location: Main Hall, Old Divinity School
Crash, Bang, Wallop! We’ve all seen spectacular stunts performed, from the iconic escapades of James Bond, the vehicles of Mad Max, to the choreography of Martial Arts films. All of these thrills require experts on and off the screen. But who are these exceptional people? What does it take to get to where they are? And how do they deliver such exciting scenes in a safe, but entertaining, way?
Join us as we enter the world of stunts with actor and coordinator Laura Vörtler (Mission Impossible, Borderlands) , learning the skills, experiences, and stories of a seasoned stunt professional.
There will be a chance for a Q&A with Laura during this session.
Laura Vörtler has established herself as a distinguished Stunt Performer, having doubled for actresses such as Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, Anya Taylor-Joy, and many others. Over her 17-year career, she has demonstrated her expertise in a variety of live-action Shows and across films and series worldwide.
CURATING QUEER CINEMA
With Yi Wang and Rhianna Ilube
Date: 9th March 2025, 13:00-14:00 GMT
Location: Lightfoot Room, Old Divinity School
How do we celebrate, and consume stories that are authentic, nuanced, and complex on screen? This event explores the importance of representation and the creative process behind curating the stories that challenge stereotypes.
Join us for an inspiring panel discussion featuring Yi Wang, founder and director of Queer East Festival, and Rhianna Ilube, playwright, dramaturg, and film programmer for the 39th BFI Flare Festival. Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, festival programmer, or simply interested in the intersection of identity and narrative, this event will offer valuable insights, and inspiration for your own filmmaking journey, whether it’s your next short film, or festival waiting to be founded.
There will be a chance for a Q&A with Yi and Rhianna during this session.
Yi Wang is the founder, director, and programmer of Queer East, a festival dedicated to showcasing boundarypushing LGBTQ+ cinema, live arts, and moving image work from East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities.
Rhianna Ilube is a playwright, dramaturg and film programmer. She is a programmer for BFI Flare, Europe’s largest LGBTQIA+ film festival. Her debut play, ‘Samuel Takes A Break…’ premiered at The Yard Theatre in 2024.
INTO THE TARDIS:
Developing Doctor Who
With Sheena Bucktowonsing and Caroline Buckley
Date: 9th March 2025, 14:00-15:00 GMT
Location: Main Hall, Old Divinity School
Doctor Who stands as one of the most iconic and enduring TV series in British history. This event will delve into the complexities of running a high-profile TV show like Doctor Who—balancing sustainability, creativity, and a core identity while adapting to evolving styles and eras.
Join Sheena Bucktowonsing, an esteemed executive producer with experience at the BBC, ITV, and PBS, for an insightful discussion with freelance producer Caroline Buckley on television drama. Notably, Sheena served as Series Script Editor and producer on Doctor Who during the Whittaker era, shaping the show across three seasons,
and Caroline worked as assistant script editor and then script editor on Chris Chibnall’s second and third seasons of Doctor Who. This event promises to be fascinating for both Doctor Who fans and those aspiring to work in television.
There will be a chance for a Q&A with Sheena and Caroline during this session.
Sheena Bucktowonsing is a creative producer who started her career in the theatre working with new writers and has gone on to work on some of the UK’s biggest television dramas. Over three seasons of Doctor Who she progressed from Script Editor to Producer. Since then she has gone on to Executive produce drama for the BBC, ITV and PBS.
Caroline Buckley was assistant script editor and then script editor on Chris Chibnall’s second and third seasons of Doctor Who. Since then, she has worked as a freelance story producer in both development and production, with credits including Kaos on Netflix and the upcoming series of Apple+’s The Buccaneers.
CLOSING SESSION
Date: 9th March 2025, 15:30-16:30 GMT
Location: Main Hall, Old Divinity School
After the main programme of events comes to a close, join us for our final session of the weekend. This will be a final chance to celebrate Watersprite 2025 and to speak with fellow festivalgoers as we wrap up this year’s festival.
The Closing Session will be followed refreshments in the main Festival Hub.
NOMINATED FILMS
From preselection in the summer of 2024 to our industry juries in December, a record-breaking 2,027 submissions for Watersprite 2025 have been whittled down to just 29 selected films from 16 different countries. Thank you to our nominee travel sponsor, Amazon MGM Studios, for helping us welcome all our nominated filmmakers to the festival this year.
Keep reading to find out more about the selected films and the awards they are nominated for. The winning filmmakers will be announced at the Watersprite Awards with Amazon MGM Studios.
BABYLON
A black British man goes on a journey of realisation and awakening as he explores his history through archival footage.
Screening: Friday 7th March, 15:15-16:45
Run time: 7’59
Country: UK
Nominations: Experimental (Joseph Bowley).
BLIND EYE
Isaac is obsessed – obsessed with getting the perfect body, obsessed with eating the right food, obsessed with becoming better. He’ll do anything to get his ex back, even if that means sacrificing his vision.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 13:1514:40
Run time: 7’59
Country: UK
Nominations: Cinematography (Catharina Scarpellini), Salon Editing (James Simpson). (James Simpson)
CLOSEOUT
While visiting her late grandfather’s house, Auksė finds out about her father’s intent to sell the property. The cold relationship between them and the ongoing silent mourning lead to a confrontation where neither side is completely right.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 11:3013:00
Run time: 16’20
Country: Lithuania
Nominations: Cinematography (Matas Juškaitis).
ETCETERA
An audio-visual bouquet in four parts.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 15:0016:30
Run time: 8’13
Country: Sweden
Nominations: Salon Editing (Noel Heath).
FESTER
Two scientists are trying to solve the same problem, but in the process Dr.Bai experiences a devastating setback which endangers both him and his lab partner.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 13:1514:45
Run time: 7’18
Country: Canada
Nominations: Original Film Music (Maximilian Baranek).
FIFTEEN
At fifteen, Suna is married off to a stranger, forced into early womanhood while battling with strict traditions.
Screening: Friday 7th March, 11:3013:00
Run time: 18’20
Country: UK
Nominations: Costume Design (Zain Gibson).
A FISH STORY
Sam is a dazzling stage star in his fantasies and a struggling newcomer in the real world. He encounters rejection and self-doubt, but a magical force keeps pushing him forwards, against all odds.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 13:1514:45
Run time: 14’30
Country: Denmark
Nominations: Costume Design (Lili Conzen).
A FLIGHT OF THE LOST DREAMY BIRD
During the 1990s, a young man returns to his village and recalls his childhood through a conversation with his mother
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 11:3013:00
Run time: 12’57
Country: India
Nominations: Experimental and Casarotto Ramsay Directing (Chaman Ramesh Kishan).
FUTURE IS PANORAMA
When Siham, an immigrant in Germany, discovers her daughter is hiding from danger at the hands of right-wing terrorists, she plunges into a desperate quest to save her, despite police inaction.
Screening: Friday 7th March, 15:15-16:45
Run time: 15’00
Country: Syria and Germany
Nominations: United Agents
Performance (Amal Omran), Seven.One Studios Fiction and Wychwood Media
Social Impact (Muschirf Shekh Zeyn).
HEARTWARE
After his colleague self-destructs by eating ice cream, android Clu tries to process his emotions.
Screening: Friday 7th March, 13:3015:00
Run time: 15’00
Country: Germany
Nominations: Production Design (Leonie Enslin) and Sound Design (JanEric Heitland and Elias Gürtler).
HOLD… PLEASE!
In a soulless ‘90s call centre, DJ Gary Deluxe’s hold music becomes a weapon of rebellion against the ruthless march of automation, spearheaded by his psychotic new boss.
Screening: Friday 7th March, 13:3015:00
Run time: 15’00
Country: UK
Nominations: North Road Screenplay (Asa Gartland), Original Film Music (Richard Johnsen).
I THINK I’M GOING TO DIE
A young girl finds her body afflicted by a mysterious condition and races through different worlds, searching for a diagnosis.
Screening: Friday 7th March, 11:3013:00
Run time: 5’10
Country: Singapore
Nominations: Animation and Casarotto Ramsay Directing (Ning Xuan Tan).
KEEP OUT
In a world where people live in isolation and survive through virtual connections, a chubby boy’s chance discovery unveils a hidden truth that could change everything.
Screening: Friday 7th March, 13:3015:00
Run time: 8’09
Country: Hong Kong
Nominations: Salon Editing (Tan-Lui Chan).
LIMINAL ROOTS
A journey through the memories of a young girl struggling to come to terms with the complexity of her mixed-raced identity.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 15:0016:30
Run time: 4’20
Country: UK
Nominations: Animation (Aliyah Harfoot).
THE TOWN OF DEAD DREAMS
Three friends embark on a journey to find a mysterious town, but an unforeseen tragedy forces them to confront obstacles that may alter their destinies forever.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 11:3013:00
Run time: 14’20
Country: Canada
Nominations: Animation and Sound Design (Manisa Hope).
A MOTHER GOES TO THE BEACH
Teresa, a single mother, spends a day at the beach with her six-year-old son Benji and her sister Marga, who has come back to Portugal for a summer vacation.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 15:0016:30
Run time: 15’31
Country: Portugal
Nominations: Costume Design (Pedro Hasrouny).
MIDNIGHT ON MSN
It’s the summer of 2008 and MSN is everything. Two girls talk every night online but never at school.
Screening: Friday 7th March, 11:0013:00
Run time: 22’00
Country: France
Nominations: Production Design (Camille Pezet Amirat), United Agents Performance (Eurydice Correia).
MISSIONARY
An elderly priest is given the chance to rekindle a connection when a past love makes a visit to his church.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 11:3013:00
Run time: 20’00
Country: UK
Nominations: North Road Screenplay (Daniel Daniel).
MIST OF DESIRES
In a surreal, post-apocalyptic bunker, swallowed by toxic mist, a bored survivor discovers a hidden portal to her deepest desires. When her secret is exposed, she defies her companion and risks everything for one ecstatic breath of freedom—no matter the cost.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 13:1514:45
Run time: 4’20
Country: UK
Nominations: Original Film Music (Jackson Seib), Sound Design (Tom Bosher).
THE NIGHT OF THE WASP
In 1987 Costa Rica, amid state violence and the HIV crisis, a 33-year-old prepares to debut as a drag queen at an underground event: The Night of the Wasp.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 15:0016:30
Run time: 18’00
Country: Costa Rica
Nominations: Documentary and Wychwood Media Social Impact (Nacho Rodriguez).
POPPER
1959. A young pregnant Audre and her mother visit a clinic to pick up a new untested drug which is said to guarantee beauty for her unborn daughter.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 13:1515:45
Run time: 14’46
Country: UK
Nominations: Production Design (Juno Glover).
REWINDING DOMINOES
Huiju has moved to the UK to escape her past– but her experience using dating apps leads her to confront her sexual trauma and attempt to move forward with her life.
Screening: Friday 7th March, 15:15-16:45
Run time: 16’58
Country: UK
Nominations: Casarotto Ramsay Directing (Huiju Park).
ROJAK
An experimental short film that peeks into the mind of a 14-year old mixedraced girl by the name of Rojak as she navigates life through a religiously fuelled environment.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 15:0016:30
Run time: 7’14
Country: Malaysia
Nominations: Experimental (Juliana Reza).
SEQUOIA
In a seemingly idyllic suburb, where 1950s-inspired AI maids maintain perfect homes, one diligent maid gains sentience and embarks on a dangerous quest for truth.
Screening: Friday 7th March, 13:3015:00
Run time: 15’08
Country: Switzerland
Nominations: North Road Screenplay (Michelle Künzler).
SILENT CYCLE
Twelve-year-old Vrinda takes a stand against her conservative grandmother after being excluded from a family ritual upon getting her first period.
Screening: Friday 7th March, 11:3013:00
Run time: 21’33
Country: India
Nominations: Seven.One Studios Fiction (Smahi Anand), United Agent Performance (Akshara Padwal).
TALES OF EXILE
In the refugee camps of Jordan, far from home, elder Palestinians reflect upon the decades of exile they’ve had to endure, amid the crisis of the 2024 attacks on Gaza.
Screening: Friday 7th March, 15:15-16:45
Run time: 11’52
Country: UK
Nominations: Documentary (Sambor Czarnawski-Iliev).
THIS IS NOT A CHARACTER, THIS IS BETRAYAL
An acclaimed debut novel. A reading at the Stuttgart Literaturhaus. A car ride through the Ruhr region into the Swabian province. A mother and her son are separated by the shame of their origins, even as it might be the only thing that unites them.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 15:0016:35
Run time: 13’20
Country: Germany
Nominations: Seven.One Studios Fiction (Romina Küper).
TIME BETWEEN US
A woman navigates her fragmented childhood memories. As these moments come to life, she realises the importance of capturing time and how a blend between the past and the present forms our identities.
Screening: Saturday 8th March, 11:3013:00
Run time: 7’41
Country: UK
Nominations: Cinematography (Noah Hecht).
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
LEADING PARTNERS
PARTNERS
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
DONORS
PRIZE PARTNERS
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
VENUE AND CATERING PARTNERS
HOTEL PARTNERS
IN-KIND PARTNERS
Create without limits: LucidLink x Watersprite
Behind every great film is a workflow that lets creatives create. This year, we’re not just sponsoring Watersprite – we’re powering its entire production engine.
Say hello to collaborative freedom
LucidLink frees creative teams to collaborate on massive media files in real-time, from anywhere in the world.
How we work our magic
Instant access to massive video files
Professional-grade security
Works with all your favourite tools
Real-time collaboration across any distance
From Oscar-winning animations to hit shows like The Bear and Atlanta, leading studios and independent productions worldwide use LucidLink to work together from anywhere.
Now, we’re proud to support Watersprite and the next generation of filmmakers.
Let creatives create
Great films aren’t made in isolation. They’re crafted by teams who can work together without worrying about distance or technical issues. That’s where we come in.
What makes LucidLink different?
No waiting around: no downloads, zero syncing
No limits: instant, secure access to 4K, 8K and RAW files
No compromises: feels just like a local drive
No disruptions: works with all your favorite creative tools
No borders: work with teams across town or across the globe
From student projects to studio productions
LucidLink grows with you. Today’s film festival submission could be tomorrow’s breakthrough feature — we can’t wait to see what you create.
Ready to transform your creative workflow?
Swing by our booth to see how emerging filmmakers are breaking traditional production barriers.
Don’t miss our opening event
Making Your First Feature - with LucidLink – where industry pros share how they turned their bold film ideas into reality.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
We express our deepest gratitude to the numerous individuals and organisations whose support has been instrumental in shaping this festival into what it is.
Thank you to our online judges for rating films during the first stage of selection. Thank you to our jurors for their thoughtful and essential contributions:
Adrian Sandu
Aisha Sadek
Alexandra Colta
Alistair Dixon
Allegredida Ha
Amhara Chamberlayne
Andreas Van Riet
Ann Herdman-Smith
Anny Tubbs
Antoine Ruello
Arran Shearing
Azhur Saleem
Barbara Foliot
Basile Vuillemin
Beth Marshall
Caitlin Devenport
Carine Koleilat
Charlotte Matheson
Chris Teague
Christina Papasotiriou
Clare Bayley
Claudia Stecher
Connor Curren
Dair Rennie
Danny Moltrasi
David Gesslbauer
David Williams
Devin O’Rourke
Dougie Hawkes
Eleonora Asparuhova
Emily Knutsson
Emma Butt
Eoin McCaul
Filip Sijanec
François Penz
George Sayer
Zinha Morgan-Bennett
Gwynn Horbury
Hannah Goodier
Hannah Samuel-Ogbu
Harriet Dale
Harvey Byworth Morgan
Hasan Limbada
Inigo Lapwood
Isabelle Croissant
Izzy Landell-Mills
Jack Seaden
Jacob Lloyd
James Fraser
James Macnab
James Williams
Jamie Childs
Jamie Stone
Jamie-James Medina
Jared Taylor
Jezza Nuemann
Josh Baumring-Gledhill
Josh Butcher
Karen Scully
Katherine Reynish
Kelly Wong
Kiarash Dadagar
Kim Noce
Kit Redstone
Laura Morrod
Lauren Miller
Lewis Taylor
Lex Wood
Lillian Crawford
Loreta Gandolfi
Loreta Gandolfi
Lucy Williams
Luke Rowe
Lydia Batalona
Maddie Locke
Maham Chaudhry
Maja Kjellstad Aanonsen
Maria Pascale
Marnie Baxter
Martha Rayner
Mimi Vlaovic
Molly Scull
Natalie Hill
Neil Henderson
Nell Thackray
Nick Long
Nina Danino
Oleta Haffner
Patricia Jorgensen
Pedro de Aquino
Peter Anderson
Philip Ilson
Rebecca Manley
Rebecca Shoptaw
Rhys Davies
Ro Rowan
Rosemary Baker
Sam Heasman
Samo Chandler
Sebastiana Etzo
Sharmila Green
Sheida Sheikhha
Sophie Duncan
Sophie Jackson
Sophie Stemmons
Susi Wilkinson
Tally Arundell
Tanya Horeck
Thalia Whitherford
Tim O’Brien
Vinicius Gouveia
Zeb Goriely
And an extra thank you to:
Adam Morley
Andrew Zurcher
Cathy Edis
Cambridge Council
Claire Mohacek
Dair Rennie
Halle Thomson
Goldcrest Films
Kettle’s Yard
Kevin Price
LucidLink
Matt Field
Nick Long
Queens’ College Cambridge
Richard DeCordova
Rose Butler
Rowena Herdman-Smith
St John’s College
Cambridge Spotlight
The BFI Film Audience
Network
The Film Hub South East Team
The Museum of Zoology
Cambridge
The Moeller Institute
The University Arms Hotel
THANK YOU FROM THE CHAIR
Over the last 16 years I have had the pleasure of chairing Watersprite, seeing filmmakers flourish and our community grow. This year is particularly special as we are initiating several new strands, bringing more film lovers together than ever before. I extend a warm welcome to our extraordinary nominees, who have travelled from all around the world to share their fantastic films with us and celebrate new voices in international cinema.
It is thanks to so many individuals and organisations that Watersprite has grown the way it has and reached this place as the world’s largest student film festival. I would like to thank our dedicated Board of Trustees: Brian Woods, Farhana Bhula, Femi Ladeinde,
Bernadette Schramm, Helen Simmons, Kat Blair, Nick Swimer and Dorothy Byrne and our Steering Committee Anna Keeley, Isobel Leigh, Charlotte Matheson, Hannah Collins and Chiara Di Filippo. Their constant guidance is truly invaluable. Of course, thanks also to the incredible student team who balance running the day to day of the festival with their studies. Two demanding full-time tasks! Special thanks must go to this year’s multi-talented Festival Director Lily O’Neill, Head of Awards Isaac Jackson, Co-Heads of Events Yii-Ling Deng and Nell Thackray, Co-Heads of Communications Fahim Afzal and Anuk Weerawardana, Head of Creative Futures Rosie Parrish, CoHeads of Partnerships Charlotte Wiltshire and Tully Hyams, Head of Video Production Karina Bhojwani, and Head of Ceremonies Molly O’Neill.
Another thank you to Festival Producer Flora O’Neill who has tirelessly joined all of us and all the ideas and initiatives together. Plus a huge thank you must go to our magnificent Development Director Amber Hyams, who, after six years of dedicated work and commitment to Watersprite, is celebrating her final festival as a member of the team. Watersprite would not be where it is today with Amber’s hard work and we wish her all the best in her future roles.
I must also thank our generous sponsors and partners, without whom none of this could happen. This year we welcome back loyal friends Amazon MGM Studios, Goldcrest Productions, David Yates’ Wychwood Media, Seven.One Studios, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates, United Agents, RTS East, Young Director Award, Film Hub South East and Salon Rentals. We were also joined by new partners and sponsors North Road, Spotlight, Lucid Link, The Britford Bridge Trust and the Chapman Charitable Trust. We are so grateful to them for enriching and supporting our community.
I hope you all enjoy the festival, meet some wonderful people and watch some wonderful films. And, finally, congratulations to all our nominees – we all look forward to following your future work and are thrilled you are now a part of the Watersprite community.
DESIGN EDITORIAL TEAM
DESIGN EDITORIAL TEAM
Sabina Dichiu & Moses Somolu
Sabina Dichiu & Moses Somolu