The Sparks Film School Film of the Month Award celebrates a new film from the imaginative filmmaking talents of Sparks Film School students every month.
Each month, a film production made by Sparks Film School crew members is chosen by our panel of judges and celebrated as the winners of the Film of the Month Award.
Congratulations to the crews behind Christmas Captives from Sparks Film School Chelsea & Fulham
For this month’s Film of the Month award, we say a huge congratulations to young film students from Sparks Film School Chelsea and Fulham! Crew members behind the film Christmas Captives are the winners for March 2025’s Film of the Month!
This fun and mysterious short film was created during December 2024 as part of Sparks Film School Chelsea’s December holiday filmmaking camp.
Our panel loved watching this film, with its fun editing and style, and amazing acting performances!
From the Judges…
Firstly, our panel wanted to commend the crew on some truly stellar camera work.
“The crew have clearly collaborated and focused here, as the camera work is just brilliant! They have used a wide array of interesting shot types that really show off not only their skill, but their imagination with their storytelling through framing and blocking.
They have used the architecture of the building to their advantage, and used some great angles and shots to really allow us into the world of the two characters locked in the school. Our judges particularly loved the birdseye view shot down the centre of the stairs!
Our panel really wanted to commend the crew on their acting performances. For the majority of the film, the actors give silent performances, but this only adds to the film’s strength, as the atmosphere and mysterious tone is heightened for the audience!
We are guessing who these people are and why they are doing what they are doing. It’s a really fun reveal when they meet and we learn they have been left behind at school and are trapped for the holidays, some excellent performances by the two actors!
The panel were also really impressed by the snappy and fun editing style. The crew have really mastered the use of juxtaposition when showing both characters journey through the school.
From the fun and more light hearted sections in the blue room with the character jumping around and playing, to the more serious and mysterious sneaking around the school and practicing his gold swing.
The crew really shone here in their storytelling ability and the contrast and mixing of the two scenes works really well, adding to the film’s charm.
Overall, the crew in Sparks Chelsea and Fulham have created a very atmospheric and interesting film, which clearly has involved a lot of creativity and passion. Congratulations to all involved and well done on being March’s Film Of The Month!”
About Sparks Film School’s Film of the Month
The Sparks Film of the Month Award shines a spotlight on a new film each month from the imaginative filmmaking talents of Sparks Film School students.
Each month, a film production made by Sparks Film School crew members is chosen as Film of the Month.
Our panel of judges – assembled from our team of filmmaking instructors – look at submissions from across Sparks Film Schools nationally and choose one film that they think stands out as an impressive piece of filmmaking.
They assess based on each film’s impact on screen and explore all its little details to uncover all the things we love about each film chosen.
Film of the Month: Selection Criteria
To be selected as Sparks Film of the Month, a film production needs to be…
Original:
We look for originality and imagination above all else when choosing the winner of Film of the Month. We looks for films that surprise us, offer some inventiveness and challenge convention.
Interesting:
To be chosen as Film of the Month, a production needs to be interesting. We want to see what happens next; we want to learn more about the characters. We should be invested in watching until the very end.
Well Made:
We need to be appreciate the technicality in how a film has been made for it to be awarded Film of the Month. It should feature a clear storyline, be well shot, well acted, well edited and put together.
Made by Students of Sparks Film School:
Film of the Month can be awarded to any film production made by students at any Sparks Film School across the UK. It can be made independently or during film school sessions.
About Sparks Film School’s Filmmaking Courses
Sparks Film School offers filmmaking, animation and photography workshops for ages 5-18, including term time classes and holiday camps.
We offer free taster classes and there are lots of opportunities to get involved. You can find out more about our filmmaking courses here >>>
