WOW! The latest update from Evie, our Upper Sixth (Year 13) creative extraordinaire and up-and-coming filmmaker, had absolutely blown our socks off. As part of ‘Project Paradiso’ organised by the Young Film Academy, she was one of 20-25 students out of 15,000 selected to help write, produce, direct, record and act in their own film created over the course to 6-9 months: fast forward to today, and the finished film ‘Strings’ has won over 14 different awards from all over the globe!
Evie recounts her experience:
“I was given the role of screenwriter alongside Oscar Cousins and Mila Miller. Our task was to produce a horror film and come prepared to our first meeting with research regarding mythological creatures, folk tales and legends of Sicily that could be adapted to fit the horror genre. For the next 4 months we wrote and re-wrote drafts, curating the storyline, and come February 2024, the filming, production, directing, and acting crews flew out to Sicily to film it all in one week.”
The immense number of accolades awarded to Strings include:
- British Horror Film Festival – Best Student Film
- Japan International Film Festival – Best Student Film
- Monza Film Fest – Best Young Director
- Absurd Film Fest (Bimonthly awards) – Best European Director
- Reale Film Festival (Bimonthly awards) – Best Young Director
- Madonie Film Festival, Region of Sicily – Best Student Film
- Robinson Film Awards – Best Student Short
- Milan Independent Awards – Best Short Film
- GOSH! Horror Show in Paris – Best Short Film and Best Actress
- London International Fantastic Film Festival – Best Student Short
- International Independent Film Awards – Gold Award for Student Film
- Night of Shorts – Best Young Director
- LA Indie Horror Fest – Honourable Mention
“What was so great about being a part of this project – besides seeing our story on the big screen – was the people surrounding me; despite living across Europe and separated by distance, the amazing creatives that put the script for Strings into full swing with me, were incredible. Mila, Oscar and I were coached by Joshua Dickinson, a freelance actor, director and writer, and his guidance throughout the process was brilliant. I have come to treasure my experience whilst working in this team and how they have positively made an impact on my future in film.”
After your film has its American debut at ScreamFest LA in October of 2024, a world-renowned film festival and the largest horror film festival in the USA, the world is truly your oyster! So what’s next for Evie?
“Ultimately I’d love to continue writing and also go into assistant directing – being the manager on set, organising the schedule and helping the process run smoothly. For now though, the next step is working towards studying at Arts University Bournemouth in September!”
Feeling brave? Watch the trailer for Evie’s horror film, Strings: https://vimeo.com/968103460/1ffdaec8f4
Premier photo credit: @charlesflintphotography on Instagram
