In even more film festival success to start the year, Sparks Film School students have been selected for inclusion at the international youth film festival Afilmteensfest!
Earlier this month, Sparks Film School HQ received the amazing news that two film productions made by Sparks Film School students have been selected for the international youth film festival Afilmteensfest!
Chosen for selection in the international youth film festival are BURNOUT and The Heart of Harlesden.
BURNOUT was produced by young filmmakers taking part on our flagship Young Filmmakers Lab summer programme for ages 15-18 during summer 2024.
The Heart of Harlesden, a film created in association with the Young Brent Foundation, was also selected for inclusion in the festival, which gives this short documentary its second film festival success.
We spoke to Sparks Film School’s co-founder Donna about the fantastic news:
“On behalf of the talented crews behind the films, we are delighted to have been chosen as part of the Afilmteensfest programme.
The work of Afilmteensfest in recognising, championing and celebrating youth filmmaking is as important as it is inspiring. It’s an honour to have the work of our film students represented amongst some of the most ambitious and creative young filmmakers in the world and we look forward to presenting the films to international audiences as part of the festival. We’re excited to attend the festival and to contribute towards this fantastic event.
We would also like to congratulate the students involved in this production – Alice, Carrie, Joshua, and Walt from Sparks Film School Balham. It’s their collective imagination, talent, creativity and commitment that has earned them this spot on a competitive and sought-after platform.
We’re incredibly proud of everyone involved, and delighted to see such a fabulous team fly the flag for Sparks Film School and for young filmmakers on the international stage.’’
Watch the Films…
BURNOUT
BURNOUT was created by young filmmakers aged 15-18 on Sparks Young Filmmakers Lab, a summer programme for young people interested in pursuing a career in film and TV.
The film explores themes of mental health and burnout in young people. This is the films first festival selection.
The Heart of Harlesden
The Heart of Harlesden was created by young people in association with the Young Brent Foundation.
A short documentary highlighting local young peoples experience of their community and the local culture in Brent.
The film has previously been selected for the Little Venice Film Festival and now joins BURNOUT in its international selection for Afilmteensfestival!
About the festival: Afilmteensfest
Afilmteensfest is an international youth film festival for the youngest generation, aged 6 to 20.
The festival takes place online on the platform www.afilmteensfest.com and in various cinemas across the Czech Republic. The festival has a huge outreach, with last years festival reaching over 37 countries and across 5 continents with its online screenings.
Some of the Sparks Film School HQ team will be traveling to attend the festival in person, to take part in festival activities and to lead filmmaking workshops with festival delegates. Watch this space for more exciting updates on the Sparks Blog!
Congratulations to all the young filmmakers involved in these two impressive productions, you should be immensely proud of yourselves, what an amazing achievement!
Film Festival Success Stories
Sparks Film School students haven’t just seen success at the Afilmteensfest.
Previously, students from Sparks across the UK in Sparks Film Schools in Hove, Guildford, Teesside and North Yorkshire were screened and won tops awards as part of CIFFOW 2023 and 2024.
Students from Sparks Film Schools all around the UK have also been involved in film festivals all over the world.
Find out more about their film festival success stories here >>
About Sparks Film School
Sparks Film Schools help young filmmakers to realise their ambitions, to develop their skills and creativity, and to shine.
From our 30+ film schools around the UK, we work with young filmmakers aged between 5-18.
We offer filmmaking and animation classes, along with courses during school holidays, after school club programmes and special events. We love to welcome aspiring young filmmakers to free trial sessions.
Find your nearest Sparks Film School here >>
