When I first joined AUB to study BA (Hons) Film Production, I was fascinated by the film industry but wasn’t entirely sure where my path would lead. I’ve always loved watching films and after studying film theory at college, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in it. Looking back on my three years of study, I can genuinely say that choosing AUB was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
One of the aspects I loved most about the course was the balance between practical filmmaking and academic work. Each project gave me the opportunity to learn something new, whether that came from being on set, conducting research or collaborating with different people across a variety of courses. I also appreciated the chance to try out every specialism, from cinematography and editing to sound, and during this journey I discovered my passion for producing. I loved bringing everything together and working with different departments to transform an idea into a complete production.
During my final year, I had the opportunity to produce an advert called Fairytales of the Future as part of the unit. The story follows well-known fairytale characters placed in a degraded future, where their stories can no longer unfold due to environmental issues such as deforestation and greenwashing. Sustainability was not only the message of the film – it was part of the production itself. By using both the BAFTA Albert and PEACH carbon calculators and adhering to a green filmmaking approach, my crew and I created an advert that was submitted to NAHEMI’s A Few Minutes for the Planet competition and we won the award for Excellence in Fiction.
Winning the competition was a significant accomplishment and it opened up many unexpected opportunities for me. Alongside my First Assistant Director, Madeline Duggan, I received a scholarship for a Sundance Masterclass. We were also approached by Womble Productions to discuss sustainable filmmaking, interviewed by BBC Radio Solent and contacted by Regent Street Cinema who expressed an interest in screening our advert. It was incredibly fulfilling to see a university project continue to thrive beyond the competition, highlighting the impact student work can have.
One of my most memorable experiences during my time at AUB was attending the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. It was a truly unforgettable experience and gave me the chance to attend screenings and premieres whilst being surrounded by filmmakers from all over the world. It felt surreal to be attending premieres alongside stars such as Cate Blanchett, Léa Seydoux, Cara Delevingne, John Travolta and many more. Experiencing one of the world’s biggest film festivals first-hand was truly inspiring.
Another stand-out moment was working on my graduate film, Devil’s Breath. Like any production, it certainly came with its own set of challenges and while it was not an easy process, it was amazing to see all the crew come together when we shot the film. This definitely made all those stressful moments worthwhile. It also reminded me of why I enjoy producing so much and how rewarding it is to help bring a project to life alongside such a talented team.
This September, I will be taking my next step in pursuing an MA in Production Management at the National Film and Television School. I’m beyond excited to continue learning, meet more people and work across a variety of productions. Reflecting on my time at AUB, I feel it has equipped me with the confidence, skills and experience to take the next step and I’m excited to see where my journey takes me.
