Every month, Sparks Film School awards a new Film of the Month award to a production made by students.
Every month, our panel of judges assess films from across all Sparks Film School crews and select one standout entry as their Film of the Month.
March 2026:
Congratulations to the crews behind The Monster Mansion from film students at Sparks Film School Bristol Central
This month’s Film of The Month Award goes to film students from Sparks Film School Bristol Central for their scary and spine tingling film The Monster Mansion.
Sparks Film School Bristol Central is one our our newest youth film school locations and this award marks Bristol’s first Film of the Month win! Congratulations to all the filmmakers involved!
About The Monster Mansion
The Monster Mansion is a thrilling and fun horror short about a group of friends who enter a haunted mansion to investigate ghost sightings. But what they discover is far stranger than ghosts alone: giant googly-eyed bugs, mischievous phantoms, and even disembodied hands fill the halls! The film cleverly keeps the audience guessing… Is the mansion truly overrun by ghouls and monsters, or is nothing quite what it seems?
This film was produced during the recent October Half Term Camp. Over the course of the camp, filmmakers focused on creating their own practical special effects for short horror films. The crew applied what they learned in the sessions masterfully, producing a polished and engaging final project.
From the Judges…
“The panel was impressed from the very first minutes of the film. The opening establishing shot of the haunted mansion, paired with a smooth panning shot showing the backs of the characters, was visually striking. Character introductions were clear and effective, immediately letting the audience know who’s who.
The tone of the film is expertly balanced, starting with a light, fun setup before gradually building into a much more unnerving and suspenseful story. The pacing keeps the audience engaged, with tension steadily rising as the friends explore the mansion.”
The panel also commended the crew’s use of sound and editing. The sound design while the characters explore the house is particularly effective, creating an ominous and foreboding atmosphere that draws the audience further into the story.
The editing adds extra impact with short flashes of scary faces and well-timed jump scares. Combined with practical effects, fake blood, and makeup, these moments create real shocks for viewers while keeping the horror playful and entertaining.
Lighting and tone were used thoughtfully to enhance the horror atmosphere. Red lighting was applied in one scene to signal danger and heighten tension, while black-and-white filters in other shots give the film a vintage, creepy feel.
Practical effects were another standout. The crew created convincing ghost makeup, used fake blood creatively in their makeup looks, and even included a brief flash of a bite mark injury that added to the horror. These effects showcase the team’s skill in combining storytelling, cinematography, and practical FX to create a unique horror experience.
The Monster Mansion is a testament to the talent, creativity, and technical skills of Sparks Film School Bristol’s young filmmakers. From strong cinematography and careful pacing to sound design, editing, and practical effects, this film demonstrates the impressive range of skills students have developed.
Well done to the crew of sparks Film School Bristol for winning March 2026’s Film of the Month Award!
About Sparks Film School’s Film of the Month Award
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.
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 >>>
