Stoke-on-Trent company Popcorn Learning Media invited BA (Hons) Film Production students to pitch for three £250 bursaries to help fund their final year projects.
It is the third year that the creative agency, based at Spode Works, has provided the opportunity and the team were so impressed that they decided to split the bursaries between all six students who took part.
Eric Gresswell, Learning Specialist at Popcorn Learning Media, said: “It has been a brilliant day. This is the highest standard of student pitches that we’ve seen and we were blown away by the quality of the stories that these students want to tell.
“There's some real bravery, courage and thought that has gone into these ideas. Every one of their films is worth making and so we had to split the bursaries between all six students. We can’t wait to see what the students produce!”
Travis Jenkins, 21, from Birmingham, is making a documentary about freestyle BMX champion Sasha Pardoe, who won gold at the 2024 European BMX Championships.
He said: “It's phenomenal! This support from Popcorn will help us take our projects to the next level. Presenting our pitches was a very good experience and has helped to prepare myself for industry after university.
“Receiving this bursary will allow me to get access to locations and transport that I don't think would have been possible without Popcorn.”
Arron Harrison, 26, from Liverpool, is working with Manchester-based charity Spirit Level to make a film about the experience of growing up trans, as well as giving a voice to older members of the trans community.
Arron commented: “It's very exciting to receive the bursary and I'm looking forward to putting it to good use. Especially, because I'm working with charities and will be using it to give a voice to something that I've been really passionate about for so long.”
Izzy Lockett, 22, from Longton’s film is a psychological thriller about a 1960s housewife who realises that her husband is a doppelganger. She said: “The pitch was pretty fun, and I got a lot of insight into what could make the film better. I want it to be very stylized and stereotypical of the era, so the money will really help with costumes and set design.”
Course mates Kate Moore, Owen Nettle Ray Brown were also successful and will share the bursaries.
Colin Mottram, BA (Hons) Film Production Course Leader, added: “Popcorn year after year continue to provide this amazing opportunity for our final year filmmakers to pitch for funding to support their creative ambitions.
“It is not only the financial support, but also professional advice provided from the team at Popcorn that is essential to help our filmmakers take their projects to the next level. We are so thankful for their continued support in developing future filmmaking talent.”
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