Create Studios teams up with Harry Potter Director to support new filmmaking talent

Swindon's Create Studios teams up with Harry Potter Director David Yates to support new filmmaking talent through new Short Film Fund.

Create Studios, in partnership with award-winning film Director, David Yates, is excited to announce the winners of the inaugural Short Film Fund.

Originally designed to fund two short films with a £1,000 budget and £10,000 worth of kit for each successful director, the incredible talent and creativity of the applicants led to a decision to fund three films instead.

The three filmmakers selected for this prestigious opportunity are Daniel Granville, Louis Hickson, and George Green.

Their projects, which range in genre from comedy to drama, stood out among a competitive pool of submissions from across Swindon and Wiltshire. Filming is already underway in Swindon, and the directors are well on their way to bringing their visions to life with the support of Create Studios.

"We were overwhelmed by the response to our Short Film Fund opportunity." said Creative Director Gurch Singh. "The quality of the applications we received was so impressive that we felt compelled to support an additional film. It’s a testament to the vibrant, creative community of emerging film talent we have in the area, and we’re proud to be a part of their journey."

David Yates, best known for his work as Director of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, ,who is co-funding the initiative, will be attending the premiere of the films on 22nd November 2024 to celebrate this significant milestone with the filmmakers.

Yates, whose own production journey began with Create Studios over 20 years ago, has been instrumental in making this fund possible.

"It’s a privilege to be able to support new and emerging talent in the film industry," Yates stated. "I’m looking forward to seeing the final films and celebrating with these promising directors."

The Short Film Fund, announced in May 2024, was established to provide both financial backing and essential filmmaking resources to emerging directors. The selected filmmakers received a £1,000 budget along with £10,000 worth of equipment from Create Studios enabling them to produce their projects with a professional edge.

Create Studios is committed to encouraging new voices in the film industry, and this fund is a significant step in that direction. "We’re eager to share these films with the world and believe this is just the beginning for these talented directors," Gurch Singh added. "The Short Film Fund has shown us the incredible potential that exists in the next generation of filmmakers from our region."