An informal online introduction to this year’s Filmmaking Challenge. Meet the team behind the project, hear more about how the challenge works and find out what kind of films we’re looking for. We’ll talk through the timeline, the submission process and share ideas about how to find a strong documentary story close to home. There’ll be plenty of opportunity to ask questions, however big or small.

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Three shortlisted filmmakers from previous years will screen their films and talk honestly about their process – from first ideas and filming challenges to editing and finding the heart of the story. Expect practical advice, behind-the-scenes insights and reassurance that great documentary films can come from simple ideas and limited resources. Followed by a Q&A and an opportunity for informal 1-2-1 chats with the team afterwards.

The following short documentaries will be screened, followed by a panel Q&A:

John and the Ossuary By Oliver Pratt (5m35s)
88-year-old John Howard has a love of life and all things in it. This seems counterintuitive to his volunteer job as a steward in the ossuary at St. Leonard’s church in Hythe. This little-known crypt has ‘the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient human skulls and bones in Britain’.

We Don’t Have Wi-fi. We Talk To Each Other By Suzanne Harb (5m30s)
This intimate film charts time spent with the residents of a unique island in Kent. We explore what it means to truly talk to people. The film is a meditation on how all of – as individuals and communities – should all take the responsibility to hold people’s stories no matter how beautiful or messy.

Chasing The Cheap Needle By Leah Thorn and Rhianna Bonterre (5m29s)
Message-emblazoned up-cycled clothes; girls and women strutting a Subversive Catwalk; a diverse array of passionate voices. ‘Chasing The Cheap Needle’ captures the spirit of ‘a:dress’, Folkestone’s ground-breaking campaign of fast fashion and climate justice. With joy, defiance and hope, this documentary confronts the environmental cost of fast fashion – and explores how our community can fight back, creatively and collectively.

Transcendence By Sharon Burrell (4m23s)
Trans artist Toby Vincer explores the relationship between their lived experience and the natural environment.

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A practical, hands-on workshop exploring how to shoot and edit a compelling short documentary film using just your smartphone. We’ll cover framing, sound, interviews, simple editing techniques and how to make the most of the equipment you already have in your pocket. Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to build confidence and keep the filmmaking process simple and accessible..

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An introduction to the Screen South camera and sound kit with an opportunity to get hands-on experience using professional filmmaking equipment in a relaxed and supportive environment. We’ll cover the basics of cameras, microphones and recording good-quality sound, as well as offering advice and troubleshooting across all areas of the challenge including story development, filming, editing and working in teams. A great opportunity to build confidence, test ideas and get tailored guidance from the Filmmaking Challenge team before filming begins.

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This workshop is for people new to editing to learn the basics of DaVinci Resolve. Over the course of the day you’ll be introduced to basic tools, and get hands-on experience cutting a one-minute interview.

You can bring your own machine (as long as you have loaded the most up to date version of the DaVinci Resolve free software), or you can use one of Screen South’s machines. Capacity is limited so sign up now!