We’re delighted to announce that the brand new Sparks Film School Bristol Central is set to open its doors to young filmmakers for Autumn 2025.
Joining our fantastic team of passionate media educators, Clare Harrison is set to inspire young filmmakers as the new Head of our newest UK film school, Sparks Film School Bristol Central. With a background in directing and producing a string of hit shows with the BBC, Clare brings fantastic experience and knowledge of film production to Sparks and we’re incredibly excited about the next chapter for Sparks Film School Bristol Central!
We sat down with Clare to find out all about her passion for filmmaking, how she hopes to bring out the potential in the young filmmakers in Bristol and her plans for Sparks Film School Bristol Central in the future.
Hi Clare, please tell us about you, and the amazing things you’ve been up to before joining Sparks Film School Bristol Central
“Since I graduated from the University of Bristol over 25 years ago with a Master’s Degree in Film and Television Production I’ve worked in TV! Having started out at the bottom as a runner I worked my way up to a Producer/Director where I directed shows including Countryfile, Bargain Hunt, The One Show and Seaside Rescue where I spent a summer in Cornwall hanging out of a helicopter!
Along the way, I’ve got stuck into planning, scripting, filming, overseeing editing, and directing everything from serious interviews to dramatic reconstructions to light-hearted sketches. Now I’m really excited to bring all that hands-on experience as a Producer and Director for TV to Sparks students!
Alongside my TV work, I’ve always loved working with children and young people. At the BBC, I mentored teenagers, and I regularly volunteered at a local primary school, supporting Key Stage 2 pupils with their reading. More recently, alongside my TV career, I’ve been working as a Teaching Assistant in primary schools across Bristol and Bath, which has given me lots of hands-on experience and a real understanding of how to support and inspire young learners.”
Why do you think children and teenagers should learn how to make films?
Filmmaking is a powerful and exciting creative outlet that taps into the imaginations of both the filmmakers and the viewers! Making films encourages children to work together and express themselves in a unique way. It’s brilliant for children who might not always thrive in a traditional academic setting because here, everyone’s ideas matter, and there’s space for every kind of thinker and storyteller.
Filmmaking also helps children develop a whole range of other skills such as problem-solving, planning, communication, teamwork, as well as technical film related skills, and it can even be a great way for children to make new friends outside of their usual school circle. When children or teenagers collaborate on a film, they share ideas, have great fun and end up with something they can be really proud of.
Why are you excited to bring Sparks to the area?
As a Bristolian born and bred, I can’t wait to launch Sparks Film School Bristol Central. This is my home city and it’ll bring together two of my greatest passions: inspiring children and making films. I’m excited to give local young people the chance to use their imaginations, have fun, and get creative whilst making a film in a team.
From my own experience working with children and young adults, both in schools and through mentoring projects whilst working at BBC Bristol, I’ve seen first-hand how working creatively in small groups, with the guidance of an adult, can really boost children’s confidence and self-worth. It’s amazing what can happen when you give children the tools and space to tell their own stories, and I can’t wait to see the marvellous films the children of this creative city are sure to make!
What’s special about Bristol? What creative things happen here?
Bristol is a colourful, vibrant city, known for its iconic suspension bridge, eye catching street art, soaring hot air balloons and its creative spirit.
If you love film, Bristol’s a dream. We’re spoiled for choice when it comes to cinemas, from big multiplexes to the plush Everyman, and indie gems like the Cube, Arnolfini and Watershed. Plus, there’s always something going on – amazing film events and festivals pop up throughout the year. South West Silents celebrates cinema history with regular screenings of silent films, or there’s Encounters for short films, Wildscreen for jaw-dropping wildlife docs, Forbidden Worlds for sci-fi and fantasy fans, and even a Slapstick Festival celebrating classic comedy on screen.
Behind the scenes, Bristol’s just as exciting. It’s a major hub for film and TV production, especially for natural history wildlife programmes. Aardman Animations, the geniuses behind Wallace and Gromit, are based here, and The Bottle Yard Studios—the largest in the West of England—hosts everything from drama series to feature films. Shows like Sherlock, Outlaws, and Doctor Who have all been filmed in the city so you’ll often spot Bristol’s streets and landmarks on screen.
Bristol is a special place where creativity and innovation come together so I honestly can’t think of a better backdrop to inspire the next generation of young filmmakers.
What plans do you have for Sparks Film School Bristol Central?
I’ve got so many ideas and can’t wait to get started! We’ll begin by offering fun, imaginative weekly filmmaking classes and holiday camps for children aged 7 to14. These will be packed with hands-on creative challenges and engaging themes to really inspire our young filmmakers.
Further down the line, I’d love to expand into animation classes—something that feels like a natural fit for Bristol, with Aardman Animations right on our doorstep. You can barely walk through Bristol without seeing a sculpture of one of their brilliant characters like Shaun the Sheep or Gromit, and I even hear on the grapevine that they have a brand-new trail launching this summer! So in the future I’d love for Sparks Film School Bristol Central to tap into that local animation magic and give children the chance to explore stop-motion and other animation techniques alongside film making.
I’m also hoping to build partnerships with some of the city’s amazing venues and film events over time, so we can give our students even more exciting opportunities to showcase their work. Sparks Bristol is going to be a place where young creatives can truly thrive—and I can’t wait to welcome them!
Find out more about Sparks Film School Bristol Central
Sparks Film School Bristol Central is set to launch in 2025, joining 40 other youth film school locations around the UK.
Find out more about their upcoming classes and register for a free trial class here >>
