Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) talent has shone across film and costume design during the 2023/24 awards season, with several working on some of this year’s most acclaimed projects.
Many of these films earned nominations in the Outstanding British Film category of the recent 77th BAFTA awards, held on Sunday 18 February.
Up for this award was BA (Hons) Film Production alumna and Honorary Fellow Molly Manning Walker, for her directorial debut, How to Have Sex. Molly shared the shortlist with established filmmakers such as Sir Ridley Scott and Ken Loach, as well as Charlotte Regan.
Molly worked as cinematographer on Charlotte’s film Scrapper, which also featured fellow AUB alumna and Olivier Award-winner Olivia Brady (BA (Hons) Acting) in the role of Vicky.
“We’re delighted and proud to see our graduates do so well during awards season,” says Jonathan Carr, Director of Bournemouth Film School at AUB. “Molly's success is no surprise to us after her time studying Film Production at AUB, and we are proud to have played a part in her journey.
“These nominations are a testament to the talent and hard work of our graduates, and the skills and experiences they built up during their time at Bournemouth Film School.”
Outstanding British Film wasn’t Molly’s only nomination at this year’s BAFTAs, as How to Have Sex was also shortlisted for Best Casting, while the film’s star, Mia McKenna-Bruce, took home the BAFTA Rising Star award.
In addition, Molly got a nod in the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer category. This award ultimately went to Earth Mama, which AUB graduate Sam Hodge worked on as assembly editor. Sam’s previous projects include visual effects work on Ant-Man, Rogue One, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
The acclaim doesn’t end at filmmaking, as there was further recognition for graduates involved in costume design.
The sensational psychological thriller and black comedy Saltburn features the work of alumna Sophie Canale, which earned her the Costume Designers Guild Award for Excellence in Contemporary Film on 21 February.
Sophie graduated from AUB in 2004 after studying Costume for Screen and Stage, now our BA (Hons) Performance Design and Film Costume course.
Another project receiving wide praise for its costume design is the science fantasy Poor Things, which lead costume designer Holly Waddington took home a BAFTA for. Her team included AUB alumna Eleanor Bull.
Poor Things is also up for an Academy Award in the Best Costume Design category. The winners will be announced on Sunday 10 March.
Adele Keeley, Senior Lecturer on BA (Hons) Performance Design and Film Costume, expressed her delight about the awards these two alumni received, saying:
“Sophie Canale was an incredible student, and it’s been a delight to watch her career grow. Saltburn was a tremendous film with fantastic costumes throughout.
“We’re also delighted to hear of Eleanor Bull’s success as part of the Poor Things costume team. Eleanor often comes back to talk to the students about her work, and we look forward to hearing all about the work she did on Poor Things later this year.”