In such a competitive field, Annabel and Beatrix both did extremely well and we are very proud of their work and passion for film. 

• Watch ‘Hooked’, filmed and produced by Annabel, Year 10

• Watch ‘The Victim’, filmed and produced by Beatrix, Year 13 (please note: this film contains flashing images)

Hear from Beatrix (our Year 13 filmmaker) below on her experience of the GDST film competition.

Flipping the script  

I was delighted at the prospect of a GDST-wide film competition, something I don’t doubt everyone around me noticed, as I exchanged a look with my friends silently conveying the message - I have just got to do this! 

I discovered that the competition was open to all GDST students from Years 7-13, with students asked to submit a short film of no more than 7 minutes based on the theme of ‘Flipping the Script’. 

I had already been gathering footage for a unique idea so when I heard about the competition, I knew it would fit this theme perfectly. Somehow, around my A-level work, with a combination of blood, sweat, tears and coffee, a mere few days before the deadline I was able to whip up a 7-minute edit tailored to the contest, one which I believed the judges would agree ‘flipped the script’.  

Shortly after submitting my film, I received an email confirming I had made the shortlist! I was delighted to have the chance to attend, this would be the first ever official awards ceremony I would attend for film, something I was desperate to check off my bucket list before heading off to university to study Film.

My excitement grew when I learnt about the film convention due to take place the night before, where I had the opportunity to check out loads of fascinating stalls and listen to one of the judges speak in a panel discussion, which confirmed how high quality the judging of these films would be. That added nervousness to the excitement.    

Watching the excellent talent on display during the pre-awards screening (including ‘Hooked’, another film made by Blackheath High which went on to win the award for Best Cinematography), I was very aware of the butterflies in my stomach as my film began to play. However, any fears I had were soon relieved by the enthusiastic audience, who gasped and leaped at each scare in my horror/thriller film ‘The Victim’. 

Then it was time for the awards with the categories: Most Creative Film; Best Costume; Best Soundtrack; Best Cinematography; Best Actor; Best Overall Film.