Creative students went behind the scenes of renowned film festival
Two Teesside University students headed to Scotland to support the delivery of a festival for experimental film.
The fourteenth edition of the Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival presented more than 70 films across cinema screenings, exhibitions and live performances.
Elizabeth Mckeone and Faiza Faiq, who are both studying MA Curating (with Advanced Practice) within Teesside University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries, were invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at how the festival is organised and delivered.
They spent a week working at the festival in Hawick, gaining unique insight and valuable experience through a prestigious fellowship programme.
BA (Hons) Film and Television Production student Shona McPherson also received the fellowship but was unable to attend the event.
Elizabeth, 28, from Middlesbrough, is a documentary filmmaker. Her short film, Infant Hercules, was showcased at Manchester Film Festival in 2019.
She said: “I feel honoured and elated to have been selected for this prestigious fellowship programme. I have been aware of Alchemy for a few years now, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to apply.
“I was mostly looking forward to going behind the scenes and seeing how a film festival comes to fruition. My role was to ensure that it all came together smoothly and everyone had a great time.
“My future plans revolve around curating film festivals, bringing together my undergraduate degree in television and film production and my current curatorial studies.
“Working at the festival gave me great insight into the logistics of planning a film festival, which will benefit me greatly. Plus, it was good fun.”
Artist and curator Faiza, from Pakistan, who is known as Faiza Gelani professionally, attended the Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival shortly before travelling to the Venice Biennale as part of another prestigious fellowship she secured through her studies.
Faiza added: “As a fellow at the Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival, I found myself immersed in an unforgettable experience that blurred the lines between reality and cinematic enchantment.
“All of the experiences, from seeing special screenings to having insightful conversations and panel discussions with professionals in the field, transported me to the core of the film industry.
“The town offered an ideal setting for the celebration, but the real magic happened inside the festival grounds. Every screening was enlightening, presenting a wide range of films that challenged the conventions of narrative.
“I felt a deep connection with my fellow attendees, united by our shared love of cinema.”
Teesside University has received national recognition for its outstanding film courses and was ranked 6th out of 82 institutions for Media and Film Studies in the Guardian University Guide 2024.
Professor Sarah Perks, from Teesside University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries, said: “Here at Teesside, we encourage our students to embrace every opportunity which comes their way.
“By doing this throughout their studies, they become well-rounded professionals who can draw on a wide range of knowledge, skills and experience by the time they leave us and head out into the industry.
“We are thrilled that Elizabeth and Faiza were able to go behind the scenes of such an exciting film festival and look forward to seeing where it will take them next.”
The Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival, delivered by Alchemy Film & Arts, took place in Hawick, Scottish Borders, between Thursday 2 May and Sunday 5 May.
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Lauren Heslop
Communications Assistant (Content Production)
01642 738 939