Each month, a new film production made by Sparks Film School students is chosen and celebrated with the Film of the Month Award…
Our panel of judges watch and assess film entries from filmmakers across all Sparks Film School crews and select one standout entry to win the Film of the Month Award.
Film of the Month – September 2026:
Congratulations to the filmmakers behind Total Control from film students at Sparks Film School Glasgow South
Congratulations to the film students from Sparks Film School Glasgow South, who are the deserving winners of the Film of The Month Award for September 2026!
The talented crew members take home the prize with their wildly entertaining, hilarious and high-energy sci-fi comedy short film Total Control.
This fantastic film was produced by young filmmakers during an intensive week-long summer filmmaking camp. Throughout the workshop, students collaborated to craft characters, master technical shot techniques, and bring a sci-fi thriller concept to life with remarkable creative flair.
The young filmmakers tackled this ambitious project with huge enthusiasm, delivering a story filled with sharp humour, inventive post-production techniques and memorable performances.
What is Total Control About?
An evil scientist has seized power over the government and his terrifying plan is well underway. Using a sinister new device, he transforms ordinary citizens into a brainwashed, superhuman army of minions to enforce his rule. With the world on the line, he seems completely unstoppable.
Enter an unlikely band of rebels and their eccentric secret weapon: an emotional AI Housebot. Together, this ragtag crew must band together to outsmart the villain’s forces. But can a small group of freedom fighters and a high-strung robot truly overthrow an empire and regain total control?
Why It Won: 3 Things Our Panel Loved About Total Control
1. Clever Editing & Snappy Opening Sequence
From the opening frame, the filmmakers grabbed our panel’s attention with a hilarious and expertly edited sequence. We watch as unsuspecting victims enter a transformation chamber and emerge as mindless evil minions.
The standout technical achievement was a clever group shot featuring all the minions together, achieved through inventive editing tricks that allowed a single actor to appear as multiple minions in the same frame. Combined with sharp comedic timing, this opening established the high stakes and absurd humour right away and it told the story in a beautifully visual way.
Did you know: Split-screen and compositing techniques allow filmmakers to film a single actor in multiple positions within the same frame across separate takes, then stitch the footage together during post-production. It’s a classic cinema trick used to create identical twins or entire armies played by one performer.
2. Impressive Acting & Unforgettable Characters
Our judges were thoroughly entertained by the cast’s acting performances and vibrant energy. The film features a wonderfully over-the-top performance from the lead villain, who brought the perfect balance of flamboyance and menace to the screen.
Equally brilliant was the portrayal of the emotional AI Housebot, whose energetic presence and comedic delivery added to every scene they were in. The contrast between these exaggerated personalities made for dynamic, engaging chemistry throughout.
Did you know: Character foils are characters whose personalities directly contrast one another to highlight specific traits. In comedy and sci-fi, pairing a dramatic villain against an overly emotional or eccentric hero creates instant dramatic tension and comedic value.
3. The “River of Doom” Montage Sequence
A major highlight for our panel was the hilarious “River of Doom” sequence. The crew showed fantastic imagination by transforming everyday materials into an epic, hazardous river obstacle for our heroes to navigate.
The fun the cast had on set came alive through the camera, resulting in a lively montage sequence that elevated the film’s playful tone and showcased pure creative resourcefulness.
Final Verdict: Well Done to the Makers of Total Control!
Total Control is a bold, creative, and laugh-out-loud funny short film that demonstrates brilliant teamwork, inventive editing, and strong comedic storytelling. The young crew from Sparks Film School Glasgow South showed impressive skill in combining genre tropes with genuine humour.
Huge congratulations to everyone involved in winning a well-deserved 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 as Film of the Month 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 >>>
