Our monthly film award shines a spotlight on youth filmmaking. Each month, a film production made by Sparks Film School crew members is chosen as Film of the Month.
We know that all Sparks Film School students all work incredibly hard to produce their own film productions, during youth film courses, workshops and events. As a way to recognise their creativity, we love to shine a celebratory spotlight on their filmmaking achievements.
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.
Congratulations to the crews behind Curse of the Maid from Sparks Film School Sheffield!
For this month’s Film of the Month award, Curse of the Maid by filmmakers from Sparks Sheffield has been chosen.
From the Judges…
Firstly, the start of the film grabbed our panel’s attention immediately. The crew have opted to create the film in a lighthearted, campy, and really fun style reminiscent of Wes Anderson’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, which the crews had used as inspiration last term as part of their sessions. The opening of the film begins with the story’s narrators giving us a mysterious and intriguing opening to the film. This is really fun and engaging, and our panel loved the grainy, slightly film noir grading to the film here.
After the setup with the murder on the stairs, which is also very well shot and expertly done, we transition into 1993. This transition is handled perfectly. It is very pacy, with a sudden jump from the darker atmosphere into a fun and youthful splash of colour and music as we are introduced to our main characters of the students. This transition is brilliant and our panel were so impressed seeing this handled in such a creative and smooth way.
The crew really make full use of their creativity in every frame of this film. There is a murder scene which is strangely really fun. The setup and build of the unseen monster in the claustrophobic corridors, with the over the top reaction of the teacher (in keeping with the style of the film) and then the special effects with the dust and the glasses are perfect visual storytelling. Simply great filmmaking on show, and a really interesting and dynamic for the audience.
Our panel could praise this film all day, so one more great point to mention would be the acting performances. The cast here have really outdone themselves and performed to a great standard in a fun and farcical style of film. It all blends perfectly together and results in some wonderful characterisations and reactions. Amazing work!
We found Curse of the Maid to be a joy to watch, and are very happy to award the students from Sparks Film School Sheffield the September Film of The Month Award! Congratulations to all involved, some really outstanding work on display here from the young filmmakers!
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 >>>
