Students from the London School of Film, Media and Design (LSFMD) at the University of West London (UWL) will have their work screened at the Ealing Film Festival next month.
Media and Communications student Nathan Wallace-Auguste’s documentary “Acting Normal” was officially selected in three categories: Documentary, Homegrown and Student.
The film explores Nathan’s experience growing up with autism and how acting helped him feel more “normal” and features personal conversations with his father about how he reacted to his son’s autism.
Praise and recognition
The Festival’s Communications Manager Anna Stefanek said:
“Acting Normal is an incredibly candid and personal documentary, and there’s something very affecting about the way Nathan examines his own relationship with the idea of ‘normality’. We’re delighted to continue celebrating emerging talent from UWL.”
Nathan said:
“I really appreciate UWL giving me the tools and opportunity to make this important short film and I’m honoured to be selected. I hope it resonates with people.”
Being shown alongside Nathan’s documentary will be three short films by Visual Effects students Evan Almond, Jesse Williams and Romar Brickersteth-Dixon, which were longlisted by the Festival and received honourable mentions.
The Festival programme also includes a film featuring performances by students from UWL’s London College of Music’s 90 Songs Project, with immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
A growing partnership
Over the past year, the Festival team have visited UWL to talk to students, and student Karyna Fedorchuk – whose work was shown as part of last year’s emerging talent screening – has done work experience with the Festival, which led directly to an opportunity to work alongside a professional film crew on location.
Anna Stefanek, herself a UWL graduate, said:
“We’re incredibly proud of our growing relationship with UWL and the opportunities it creates for students across different disciplines from filmmaking to graphic design, advertising and PR.”
Looking ahead
These deepening ties come alongside the launch of LSFMD’s new Film, Screen and Content Production degree. Course Leader Dr Jo Henderson who’ll be taking a group of new students to the screening to inspire them, said:
“We’re excited to be building on LSFMD’s strengths in filmmaking and media production in this new course – and will be making good use of the University’s great TV studio and greenscreen facilities. Ealing is such an iconic place for film production and we’re looking forward to fantastic work from our new students.”
Head of LSFMD, Paul Lohneis said:
“We’re delighted to see the Festival showcasing the excellent work our students have been doing – and the great opportunities this partnership is offering students, from the chance to gain experience of working in the film industry, to live briefs honing skills in Advertising and PR, and Graphic Design. We’re looking forward to developing our relationship with the Festival even further in the years ahead.”
