Film of the Month Award: Sparks Film School celebrates a new film from the imaginative filmmaking talents of its 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.
May 2025: Congratulations to the crews behind Whispers Beyond The Grave from Sparks Film School Richmond
Whispers Beyond the Grave was created by talented crew members from Studio 4 as part of their weekly workshops during the Spring Term 2025.
Whispers Beyond the Grave is a period piece, set in the year 1980. James lies in a coma, lost in vivid memories and fragments of his life. While he drifts between moments of friendship, rivalry, and regret, his friends on the outside begin to piece together what really happened to him.
The film is highly creative and blends multiple themes into one tightly knit story performed to a high standard by the young filmmakers of Sparks Film School Richmond.
From the Judges…
Firstly, our judges were impressed with the film’s opening scene…
“The crew have expertly drawn the audience into the plot, and have used the technique of showing not telling us what is happening. We open on James unconscious in the hospital, flickered in between memories of his friends and the events leading up to him being placed into a coma.
This juxtaposition of settings and the present with his memories, is really interesting and makes for a gripping opening for the film.”
“The film is really focused on the young group of friends, who are all performed to a high standard by the young cast. The panel were impressed with the commitment to the characters and the situations.”
The judges especially enjoyed the scene where James and his bully reconcile and speak one on one after they have fought. This scene was handled really well by the young cast and makes for a good emotive moment in the film.
“Lastly, the film uses editing techniques and uses music very successfully. The crew have chosen to give the scenes in James memories a different colour tone and lighting compared to the present, and this really helps differentiate the two ‘worlds’ we move between as the audience.
It also really highlights the different emotional tones, one being more serious and dark, and the other being lighter and more fun before James’ accident. Well done crew!”
Overall Whispers Beyond The Grave is a brilliantly made film with a really well handled mature storyline. This kind of thing isn’t easy to do at all, but the filmmakers have clearly collaborated sensitively on this film, and have created something to be proud of.
Well done and congratulations to the students from Sparks Film School Richmond for being selected as 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 >>>
