News / 21 Sep 2026
Filmmaking graduates selected for Spirit of Independence Film Festival 2026
BA (Hons) Filmmaking
Films from three BA (Hons) Filmmaking graduates have been selected to appear at this year's Spirit of Independence Film Festival in Sheffield.
The Spirit of Independence Film Festival is a BIFA qualifying festival established in 2019, that celebrates emerging voices in independent cinema across a range of categories. This yearâs event will be held at The Light Cinema, Sheffield from 25 September to 27 September 2026, and will play host to screenings from three recent graduates.
Ellie Saltâs film âThat Funny Feelingâ will play in the Northern Spirit category, and follows Beth, a young woman who dreams of becoming a circus clown. Beth is held back by her spiritless partner and feels conformed to what his ideals of a partner should be, until she meets the âinspirational clownâ who encourages her to follow her circus dreams. The film is a deeply personal project for Ellie, drawing on her own experience with coercive control and domestic violence. Amidst rising reports of offences of coercive control, Ellie says, âI think it's vital that art forms such as film are used to shed light and create a more open conversation surrounding the issue. Although I want the audience to find humour within Beth's journey, what resonates most should be the value of independence and autonomy, especially for a young woman.â
âIt means a lot to me to be selected for The Spirit of Independence festival in Sheffield. Firstly, because I attended college in Sheffield having grew up nearby ... itâs very rewarding to have my film selected there as part of its festival run. Secondly, Iâve been given the opportunity to spread the message of the film further ... Awareness on coercive control is at the root of this film so Iâm very grateful to share this with an audience and shed some light on something thatâs very important to me.â
Ellie Salt, BA (Hons) Filmmaking graduate
Sam Rookeâs film American England will also be showing in the Northern Spirit category, and is âa sweeping montage of the English countryside, framed as an American westernâ. Â Sam explains âthe film explores the distortion of American idealism through the lens of western iconography: both a love letter and a critique of the countryâ.
"Spirit of Independence is such an important festival for platforming emerging filmmakers who possess the creativity but not necessarily the budget to compete with larger productions. I am very honoured to be included amongst so many great filmmakers, but also to be included alongside my immensely talented course mates."
Sam Rooke, BA (Hons) Filmmaking graduate
âCall Lone Magpieâ by Sam McLeod has been selected to play in the Youthful Spirit category. The short follows a jaded hitman-for-hire in a speculative future where hitmen are legal, who âmust make a commercial for his business, but begins to question his own profession.â
"The filmmaking team and I are super proud of all of these films being selected for the Spirit of Independence Film Festival. Fantastic to see all the work the students and all the crews have achieved is beginning to pay off when film festivals are selecting their work. We look forward to seeing the films in September being screened in Sheffield."
Tom Chimiak, BA (Hons) Filmmaking course leader
You can view the complete festival schedule and buy tickets to the festival on the Spirit of Independence website.