What are the Camera Games?
Each year, Sparks Film School hosts The Camera Games, a competitive festival for Sparks Film School filmmakers to show off their filmmaking talents and imaginations in a nationwide celebration of the incredible work our students produce each year.
The competition is open to all Sparks filmmakers from across all our locations across the country.
Congratulations to the Winners of Best Film She’s Still There by Sparks Film School Sheffield
We’re delighted to announce that the winner of Best Film for The Camera Games 2026 is She’s Still There by students from Sparks Film School Sheffield! Congratulations to everyone involved!
Winners for categories Best Cinematography, Ensemble, Production Design, Screenwriting, Sound Design, and Best Moment below too…
Sparks Film Schools Co-Director Dan Farrell commented:
”Watching the talent across our annual Sparks Film School Camera Games is always a highlight of our year. The standard of work from every nominee and runner-up was truly exceptional. We owe a massive debt of gratitude to our head judges, Sparks Creative Consultant Sheena Holliday and independent filmmaker (and ex-Sparks film school member) Jasper Frost, for their sharp insight and dedication to our students.
‘Congratulations to the filmmakers at Sparks Film School Sheffield for winning our coveted Best Film award. Huge congratulations to all of our winners, runners up and everyone who has submitted films this year for their technical skill and vision: you have set the bar incredibly high for the next generation of filmmakers.”
Watch the winners of Best Film and Best Screenwriting She’s Still There
She’s Still There, produced by students from Sparks Film School Sheffield is this years’ winner of The Camera Games challenge.
On the film, one of our judges Jasper Frost (Sparks Alumnus and now professional filmmaker) said “A very ambitious and well executed horror! The story conceived by the group was really engaging, and it did what all great horrors do – it began with a spooky series of questions, that only became spookier the more that was revealed. I was incredibly impressed by the cinematography and switching between analogue and digital footage worked beautifully. A really strong and visually impressive film.”
Judge Sheena Holliday, Creative Consultant at Sparks Film School, praised the film “’The script was succinct and the storytelling kept the pace of the film up. I really enjoyed the style, I think they nailed the documentary format. The visual effects were lovely with all the old footage, and its clear the group worked really well together and were committed to the project.”
The film has also won Best Screenwriting, with judge Connor McCreedy, Sparks Film School’s Communications Manager, calling it “A great psychological thriller with some brilliant use of ‘found footage’ and interviews in a documentary style. A really engaging script and story, and had us gripped from start to finish.”
Best Film Nominees
The nominees for Best Film were:
- Ghoul School from Sparks Film School Cardiff West
- The Experiment from Sparks Film School Bournemouth
- Alien Hurricane from Sparks Film School Dulwich
- When Time Cuts Short from Sparks Film School Hampstead
- Played from Sparks Film School Glasgow South
- The Game from Sparks Film School Dorking
- Rise of the Super Spies from Sparks Film School Guildford
Best Screenwriting Nominees
The nominees for Best Screenwriting were:
- Ghoul School from Sparks Film School Cardiff West
- Dead as a Dinosaur from Sparks Film School Glasgow South
- Played from Sparks Film School Glasgow South
- Reality War from Sparks Film School Guildford
Best Cinematography: When Time Cuts Short by Sparks Film School Hampstead
Congratulations to the makers of When Time Cuts Short from filmmakers at Sparks Film School Hampstead, winners of Best Cinematography. The film is about A man diagnosed with a terminal illness, who looks back on his life through flashbacks, ultimately realising his life was enriched by friendship.
Judge Sheena Holliday said, “A very impressive and mature film. The group sensitively told their story really well.This film excelled with it’s cinematography – using some really creative shots e.g. shooting through the bin and the shadow argument.”
Connor McCreedy also praised with the film, “Really lovely and effective storytelling here. Brilliant use of flashbacks and quick flashes of the past. An emotive story handled with care and maturity, supported with some really outstanding filmmaking.”
Best Cinematography Nominees
The nominees for Best Cinematography were:
- The Experiment from Sparks Film School Bournemouth
- The Milkman from Sparks Film School Glasgow South
Best Ensemble: Ghoul School by Sparks Film School Cardiff West
Congratulations to the makers of Ghoul School, winners of Best Ensemble.
Ghoul School was produced by young filmmakers from Sparks Film School Cardiff West. “Whispers in the library. Chairs that shift when no one’s looking. Something’s not right at Ghoul School. Only one clue remains — the headmaster’s mysterious glasses. And they might be the key to uncovering what lurks in the shadows.”
Judge Jasper Frost mentioned that, “…the teamwork and collaboration really shone through on this one. The use of visual effects and POV camera work was a great touch for showing the ghost through the glasses. The performances from the entire group really sold the story here, congratulations!”
Best Ensemble Nominees
The Best Ensemble Nominees were:
- The Game from Sparks Film School Dorking
- Rise of the Super Spies from Sparks Film School Guildford
- Out of Stock from Spark Film School Sheffield
- A Mystery Forever Unsolved from Sparks Film School Glasgow South
- Played from Sparks Film School Glasgow South
- When Time Cuts Short from Sparks Film School Hampstead
Best Production Design: Alien Hurricane by Sparks Film School Dulwich
Congratulations to the makers of Alien Hurricane, winners of Best Production Design
Alien Hurricane was produced by young filmmakers from Sparks Film School Dulwich. The film is about “The stress and anxiety of an alien queen is manifesting as a hurricane that has been blowing for almost 1000 years.“
Judge Connor McCreedy said, “Some lovely comedic moments, and a high energy opening! Really great use of space and location, such as the scenes in the forests making us feel like we were there with them!”
Best Production Design Nominees
The Best Production Design nominees were:
- A&E Absolutely Exhausted from Sparks Film School Cardiff West
- The Milkman from Sparks Film School Glasgow South
- The Experiment from Sparks Film School Bournemouth
Best Sound Design: The Experiment by Sparks Film School Bournemouth
Congratulations to the makers of The Experiment, winners of Best Sound Design!
The Experiment was produced by young filmmakers from Sparks Film School Bournemouth. Judge Jasper Frost praised the film by saying “This one was exciting from the very first shot! The directorial vision the team had for this is so clear. Some lovely visual touches made the film feel like a classic creature feature!”
Best Sound Design Nominees
The Best Sound Design Nominees were:
- When Time Cuts Short from Sparks Film School Hampstead
- Alien Hurricane from Sparks Film School Dulwich
Best Use of Genre: A Mystery Forever Unsolved by Sparks Film School Glasgow South
Congratulations to the makers of A Mystery Forever Unsolved, winners of Best Moment.
The film was produced by young filmmakers from Sparks Film School Glasgow South. “When the Queen’s jewels go missing, everyone is a suspect. Can they crack the case?“
Judges said that “This team pulled off an impressive heist film, using classic characters and conventions while adding their own unique spin to each element.”
Best Use of Genre Nominees
The Best Use Of Genre nominees were:
- Uncouth Young Ladies from Sparks Film School Bournemouth
- Rise of the Super Spies from Sparks Film School Guildford
Best Moment: Estroniaid by Spark Film School Cardiff West
Congratulations to the makers of Estroniaid, winners of Best Moment (the moment happens at 2:42!)
Estroniaid was produced by young filmmakers from Sparks Film School Cardiff West.
When asked about this moment Sparks Cardiff directors Alyn and Christine said “We’ve had loads of amazing moments over the past year, so picking just one wasn’t easy. But the one that really stood out comes from our latest film, Estroniaid. It was the first time we used the Welsh language in one of our projects, and that made it extra special. It wasn’t just a creative choice, it meant something. It felt like a real step forward in celebrating who we are and where we’re from.”
Best Moment Nominees
The Best Moment nominees were:
- The Milkman from Sparks Film School Glasgow South (5:00)
- The Tentabeast from Sparks Film School Glasgow South (5:49)
Find out more
In Sparks Film School’s filmmaking classes, young filmmakers learn all about the different aspects of filmmaking together in age-tiered film crews. They explore the different roles found on a film set, as well as lots of different production techniques. They develop skills as young producers, directors, screenwriters, camera and production crew, as well as acting for camera and editors too.
Find out more about Sparks filmmaking classes here >>
