WFF Feature 'Beyond the Ring: The Making of Chokehold"

As part of Chokehold's official selection at the BIFA-qualifying Worcester Film Festival, a new feature has recently been published exploring the film's origins, creative development and production. Writer-director Christopher Bevan shares a behind-the-scenes perspective on bringing Chokehold to life and the ideas that shaped its story.

Produced by camakel Productions in association with YSP Media, Chokehold was supported by BFI NETWORK and Film Hub Midlands. We are pleased to feature an extract from the article here so readers can enjoy this insight into the making of the film, with thanks to the Worcester Film Festival team for their continued support. 

To view the full article ‘Beyond the Ring: The Making of Chokehold’ head to the official Worcester Film Festival blog on their dedicated festival website. You can catch Chokehold at Worcester Odeon in Shorts Block 20 on Thursday 24th September from 3.15-4.30pm as part of this year’s festival programme, with tickets available now.

New Artist Commission Announced to Celebrate 50 Years of Junction Arts

YSP Media Creative Director Christopher Bevan has been commissioned for a new visual arts project celebrating 50 years of Junction Arts and their work to bring arts to communities in North East Derbyshire.

Working alongside poet and performer Betty Powdrill, the co-created ‘The Stories We Weave’ features an ambitious collection of short poetry films inspired by the voices, memories and experiences of the people who have shaped Junction Arts over the last half century.

As announced by Junction Arts in a press release, the commission forms part of 50 Stories for 50 Years, Junction Arts' year-long heritage programme supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Drawing on stories gathered from communities including Bolsover, Shirebrook, South Normanton, Pinxton and Chesterfield, the project explores the lasting impact of creativity on people's lives. Ten short films are brought together through the symbolic figure of the Willow Weaver, connecting stories across generations through themes of creativity, resilience and community. The films feature performances by sculptor Rachel Carter as The Willow Weaver and actor Adam Horvath as The Archetype, embodying the individuals who have inspired each of the featured stories.

Christopher Bevan commented, “To try to capture 50 years of Junction Arts is to capture the experiences of thousands of people. Collaborating with Betty has allowed us to bring poetry and film together to create something that reflects that shared spirit of creativity and resilience. We’re excited for audiences to experience these stories.”

The Stories We Weave was officially launched at Chesterfield Children's Festival last month through an interactive trail in Queen's Park and a living room installation. Through this, the public had the chance to meet Chris and Beth to learn more about the project as well as take part in the trail. The project will continue to tour throughout 2026, with presentations at Tapton Lock Festival in September and Bright Winter Nights at Bolsover Castle in November.

Projects like 50 Stories for 50 Years reflect an important part of our work to preserve and celebrate heritage, communities and the arts through emotive visual storytelling. Having documented Junction Arts' work and impact over many years, including the RTS Midlands Awards nominated JA40: The Junction Arts Story in 2016, this latest commission to creatively capture the 50th anniversary celebrations is an important milestone.

Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, 50 Stories for 50 Years intends to create a lasting digital archive preserving the voices of participants, staff, artists, volunteers and communities who have been part of Junction Arts’ story over the past five decades.

Audiences will have another opportunity to experience The Stories We Weave at Tapton Lock Festival on 5th September, followed by Bright Winter Nights later this year in November. To learn more, head to the official Junction Arts press release here and follow @JunctionArtsUK to keep up to date with the latest on 50 Stories for 50 Years. For the latest information about Junction Arts ambitious 50 Stories for 50 Years project, visit: www.junctionarts.org/50stories.

Chokehold World Premiere at Brighton Rocks International Film Festival

Chokehold has officially premiered at the BIFA-Qualifying Brighton Rocks International Film Festival, marking an exciting milestone for the film as it made its world premiere in front of a festival audience.

The team were delighted to share the film as part of the Drama Rocks III: What The Children Saw screening block at The Daltons, followed by a short filmmaker Q&A. Writer and director Christopher Bevan was joined by cast members Eddie Coates, Philip Bedwell and Lis Hipkiss for the screening. A huge thank you to Brighton Rocks International Film Festival for the warm welcome and for including Chokehold in such a brilliant line-up of short films. It was a privilege to premiere the film alongside so many talented filmmakers and share our work with a fantastic festival audience.

The premiere marked the next step in Chokehold’s journey, following a special BFI Network preview earlier in the month at Flatpack Film Festival. We’re thrilled to have introduced the film to wider audiences and look forward to sharing more news about what comes next.

Chokehold is written and directed by Christopher Bevan, produced by Catriona Kelly of camakel productions in association with YSP Media, and generously supported by BFI NETWORK.

Trailer Released for BFI NETWORK Short Film 'Chokehold'

We’re excited to share the first look at our upcoming BFI NETWORK–funded short film Chokehold, produced by camakel productions in association with YSP Media and supported by Film Hub Midlands.

The new trailer introduces Lucas, a young teenage boy on the run and in search of his father, a professional wrestler going by the name of Cash Flynn. Written and directed by Christopher Bevan and produced by Catriona Kelly, Chokehold stars Eddie Coates, Philip Bedwell, Lis Hipkiss, Mike ‘Wild Boar’ Hitchman, Ross Marshall, Jo Barker and Carl Bryan.

Catriona and Chris are incredibly grateful to the entire Chokehold team for their hard work and dedication, and to BFI Network and the team at Film Hub Midlands for their support throughout development and production. Now that the film is completed, we’re now looking ahead to the next stage as we prepare for upcoming screenings and festival announcements.

If you’d like to follow along with the journey, we’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes content, updates, and insights into the making of the film on Instagram at chokehold_shortfilm. We’d love for you to join us there as we continue sharing more of how the film came together and where it’s heading next.

Cast and Crew Screening Held for BFI NETWORK Short Film 'Chokehold'

Last week QUAD in Derby hosted the cast and crew screening of BFI NETWORK funded short film Chokehold, bringing together collaborators, supporters, and invited guests for an evening celebrating the completion of the project. The private screening of our latest short, produced by camakel productions in association with YSP Media, marked the first opportunity to screen the film to an audience.

The screening was exceptionally well attended, with a full house creating a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere. Following the screening, a Q&A was held with producer Catriona Kelly, writer-director Christopher Bevan, and cast members Eddie Coates, Philip Bedwell and Lis Hipkiss.

The discussion which was hosted by Ciaran Shea provided insight into the development and production of the film, from its initial concept through to filming and post-production. The panel also reflected on their creative collaboration, working with the support of Film Hub Midlands and BFI NETWORK, and their experience bringing the script to the screen. Chokehold tells the story a young teenage boy Lucas who, in a desperate attempt to escape his troubled home life, runs away to seek out his estranged father Cash, a once-famed professional wrestler still working on the independent wrestling scene in the UK.

A complicated catch-up between father and son. Lucas (Eddie Coates) and Cash (Philip Bedwell)

The team behind Chokehold the film would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the making of the film. This project would not have been possible without the dedication, creativity, and hard work of everyone involved. We are also deeply grateful to Film Hub Midlands and BFI NETWORK for their support and funding, and to Derby QUAD for hosting the screening and providing such a welcoming space for the event. Thanks also go to the team at Pursuit Pro Wrestling and all of the wrestling talent for their support in bringing to life such an important element of our story.

Finally, thank you to everyone who attended and supported the screening. It was a fantastic opportunity to share the film with an audience for the first time, and we look forward to announcing future screenings and developments soon. You can watch the trailer and find out more about Chokehold at our dedicated page for the film here.

Anarchy (Mike ‘Wild Boar’ Hitchman) paces in the ring

Arriving at PPW, Lucas (Eddie Coates) searches for his father

Legacy of the Worcestershire Soldier Gallery Captured in New Film Project

YSP Media is proud to announce the completion and release of a new film project created for the Worcestershire Regiments Museum, documenting the now-closed Worcestershire Soldier Gallery. Produced with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this series of films captures and preserves an important chapter of military and local history for future generations.

Working closely with the team responsible for these incredible collections in Worcester, we set out to create a lasting digital record of the gallery before its closure which ensures that the stories, objects, and personal histories it contained remain accessible long after the physical exhibition has changed and moved location.

The centrepiece of the project is a guided tour film that takes viewers through the Worcestershire Soldier Gallery as it was experienced by visitors. The film offers a carefully curated journey through the space, combining narration, archival research, and detailed visual coverage of key exhibits. It allows audiences, whether former visitors or first-time viewers, to engage with the gallery in a deeply immersive way.

Alongside the main tour, we also produced a series of short films focusing on individual artefacts from the collection. These pieces highlight key items and the remarkable stories behind them: soldiers’ personal belongings, regimental artefacts, and objects that speak to service, sacrifice and identity. Each short is designed to stand alone while also contributing to a broader narrative of the regiment’s history. Capturing these narratives on film has been an opportunity to help preserve not just objects but also the memories of the soldiers who served.

This project reflects the importance of safeguarding heritage in accessible and modern formats. This recording and transforming of a physical exhibition into a lasting digital resource ensures that the Worcestershire Regiments Museum collection continues to educate, inspire and resonate with audiences for years to come. The full film is available online here and you can also follow on Instagram for the latest updates and stories of some of the artefacts here.

Best Supporting Actor Win at Five Lamps Film Awards for 'The Other'

This year’s Five Lamps Film Awards held in Derby brought together independent filmmakers, local audiences and short film supporters for an evening celebrating creative talent. During the event held at Dubrek Studios on 26th November, Dani Tonks was named Best Supporting Actor for her performance as Ruth in thriller short film The Other.

The award was accepted on her behalf by director Christopher Bevan, who congratulated Dani and thanked the cast, crew, and team at Five Lamps Films for their support.

Produced by Dreamfusion Productions in association with YSP Media, The Other tells the story of a serious and meticulous young chef Marcus who begins to experience increasingly strange and unexplained events that challenge his sanity. Over the past 18 months the film has screened at festivals across the UK and received several nominations and awards, including Best Film at the Midlands Movies Awards.

As the film approaches the end of its festival run, we are grateful to receive this recognition for Dani from Five Lamps Films. To find out more about The Other and watch the trailer, head to the link here.

'The Other' Screens At Worcester Film Festival

The latest and likely one of the final stops on the festival run for The Other took place at the end of September with the BIFA qualifying Worcester Film Festival screening our short film as part of their 2025 Official Selection. Taking place between September 24th-27th, the festival showcases an enormous range of shorts and feature films, and offers plenty of industry Q&As and networking opportunities.

Now in its fifth year, the Worcester Film Festival goes from strength to strength and is to date the only BIFA qualifying film festival in the West Midlands. It’s not hard to see why. The organisation and friendliness of the team here has been second to none, from submission and selection all the way through to the main event on the big screen at the Odeon. The hard work that goes into make this such a filmmaker focused and professionally organised event is clear for all to see. We hope to return in future with another film or as an audience member.

The Other on the big screen featuring Adam Horvath as Marcus

Director Christopher Bevan attends the Worcester Film Festival

Head to the Worcester Film Festival website to find out more about this year’s festival and check out the trailer below which features an appearance from Adam Horvath as Marcus in The Other!

The Other follows serious and meticulous young chef Marcus as he begins to experience increasingly strange and unexplained events that challenge his sanity. With his mindset spiralling into paranoia his desperation is intensified by sightings of a familiar figure. The film, produced by Belinda Basson, directed by Christopher Bevan and written by Ben Errington, has received several festival screenings and nominations over the past year, including two BIFA qualifying festivals, and was previously honoured at the Midlands Movies Awards 2025 with wins for Best Short Film, as judged by VIP guest judge Richard Armitage, and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Adam Horvath in the role of Marcus.

Picture Lock On BFI NETWORK Funded Short Film 'Chokehold'

We have picture lock! Our BFI NETWORK funded short film Chokehold is another step closer to completion and we’re celebrating with the release of one of our absolute favourite shots featuring two of our cast members Philip Bedwell and Mike ‘Wild Boar’ Hitchman.

We’re incredibly excited about moving into the final stages of post-production and a huge thank you to our editor Stef Hrycyk for all of his hard work and patience to help us reach this important milestone. More news to come soon!

In a desperate attempt to escape his troubled home life, a young teenage boy runs away to seek out his estranged father, a once-famed professional wrestler. Written and directed by Christopher Bevan and produced by Catriona Kelly of camakel productions in association with YSP Media, Chokehold was selected for funding by BFI NETWORK as part of the 2024 open call, one of just 31 short films shortlisted nationwide. Principal photography was completed over four days in Spring 2025 and with post-production currently underway, we are aiming for an early 2026 release.

Chokehold stars Eddie Coates, Philip Bedwell, Lis Hipkiss, Mike ‘Wild Boar’ Hitchman, Ross Marshall, Jo Barker and Carl Bryan.

For further information please visit our featured section on the production of Chokehold here. You can also follow the film on the official Chokehold Instagram page for all of the latest updates

YSP Media Completes Heritage Films For St Matthew’s Church in Morley

YSP Media is proud to announce the completion of a series of short films commissioned by St Matthew’s Church as part of the ongoing conservation project Tending the Future, generously funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund.

Over a period of six months, YSP Media creative director Chris Bevan has worked closely with the church and its community to produce a series of five short films capturing the rich history, craftsmanship and legacy of this remarkable medieval church in Morley, Derbyshire.

Repair of the stained glass windows in progress at Jim Budd’s workshop in mid-Wales

The central pillar of this project has been the intricate restoration of St Matthew’s historic medieval stained glass. One of the key films produced through this commission features insight from expert conservator Jim Budd and documents the removal, repair and preservation of the delicate collection of windows situated in the church, some of which date back to the 14th Century. In addition to filming the careful process of removing the glass at the church, a visit to Jim’s workshop in mid-Wales provided an opportunity to view the techniques use to protect and restore the glass.

We also had the opportunity to work closely with local artist Karen Slade to highlight the traditional process of creating medieval tiles as well as the unique hidden meaning behind the butterfly patterned tile which is prominently featured. A new guided video tour offers viewers a look inside St Matthew’s Church to encourage viewers to visit and learn more about this fascinating historical location. In addition to exploring the unique architecture and present day role of the church within the local community, we also had the opportunity to develop a reflective piece on the past, present, and future of the church. A particular highlight of this film was a visit to the Derbyshire Record Office to film the Book of Hours, a beautifully illustrated book dating back several hundred years with important links to the original benefactors of the church.

Artist Karen Slade demonstrates the making of traditional Medieval tiles

Safely stored at the Derbyshire Record Office is the Book of Hours

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported and contributed to the making of these films, from the dedicated volunteers and church community to the skilled craftspeople and archivists who generously shared their knowledge and passion, and those who helped deliver Tending the Future. YSP Media has a deep and continuing interest in working on heritage-based film projects, and the opportunity to tell some of the stories behind historic sites, traditional skills, and community memories is something we value greatly. Projects such as Tending the Future and The Heritage Lottery Fund allow filmmakers to bring history to life through film, improving engagement and preserving these important places and stories for future generations.

In addition to being released online, all of the films produced will be available on an interactive touch screen within St. Matthew’s Church for visitors. To learn more about Tending the Future, you can visit St Matthew’s website here or take a look at some of the films on their Youtube channel. We have also featured a selection of the films over on our Documentary and Community Portfolio.

St. Matthew’s Church in Morley, Derbyshire

The beautifully preserved interior of St. Matthew’s houses many treasures

Best Short Film Nomination At Forward Film and Television Festival

We are thrilled to announce that The Other has received a nomination for Best Short Film at the inaugural Forward Film and Television Festival. This exciting new festival has industry wide support, with key champions including the BBC, Joe Lycett and Steven Knight, and just one look at the line up of screenings and events tells you everything you need to know. Firmly rooted in Digbeth in the great city of Birmingham, there is a real sense of pride for the Midlands as a creative film and TV hub, and we are honoured to be a small part of this. The festival takes place between 16-20 July, with the nominees for Best Short Film screening at the Mockingbird Cinema on 17 July from 6pm.

The Other follows serious and meticulous young chef Marcus as he begins to experience increasingly strange and unexplained events that challenge his sanity. With his mindset spiralling into paranoia his desperation is intensified by sightings of a familiar figure. The film, produced by Belinda Basson, directed by Christopher Bevan and written by Ben Errington, has received several festival screenings and nominations over the past year and most recently was honoured at the Midlands Movies Awards with wins for Best Short Film, as judged by VIP guest judge Richard Armitage, and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Adam Horvath in the role of Marcus.

We are grateful to Forward Film and Television Festival for this nomination and we look forward to returning to Birmingham where significant sequences of The Other were shot across a number of locations thanks to the support of organisations such as Film Birmingham. Check out the trailer below and head over to our dedicated The Other page to find out more.

Success at Midlands Movies Awards 2025 for The Other

The annual Midlands Movies Awards took place on 21st June in front of a packed house at the Y Theatre in Leicester, bringing together an eclectic mix of talent from across the region. Now in its ninth year, these awards have come to be a highlight of the calendar and with hosts Mike Sales and Ed Stagg, there is always the guarantee of an excellent and fun-filled evening no matter the outcome.

This year however we were both shocked and delighted to receive the awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Adam Horvath in the role of Marcus, and the overall Best Short Film in a competitive category as judged by actor and writer Richard Armitage. Hailing from Leicester, Richard is a multi-award-winning stage and screen actor best known for his role of Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson’s trilogy of ‘The Hobbit’. For Netflix he has been involved in multiple Harlan Coben adaptations, as well as undertaking star turns in blockbusters Captain America: The First Avenger and Ocean’s 8.

Of the films Richard said, “There was some beautiful cinematography and brilliant writing, but above all, a collection of brilliant ideas. The one that stuck with me was the film that felt most fully fleshed-out. It’s the one that tricked me into believing it was a feature film”.

Midlands Movies editor Mike Sales said, “It was another evening of excitement and memorable moments but most of all we hope it provided a huge does of inspiration to every creative out there in the Midlands”.

In addition to the nominations for Best Short Film and Best Actor in a Leading Role we were delighted to receive nominations in two other categories including Best Director for Christopher Bevan and Best Supporting Actress for Dani Tonks in the role of Ruth.

We are incredibly grateful and appreciative to the cast and crew for making this all possible and as some will know this film has been in the works for a long while. Special thanks must go to our writer Ben Errington, producer Belinda Basson of Dreamfusion Productions and to our editor Stef Hrycyk who helped keep the film alive in the most challenging times. Thanks also to everyone who backed the film to help us get it over the line and complete filming many years ago. It has been a long road, certainly not without its challenges, but we are grateful to have the film celebrated.

Thank you to Mike Sales, Midlands Movies and of course Richard Armitage for a high point on this unlikely and unexpected journey. We are pleased to also be able to share some excellent photos from Poyner and Me Photography of the awards evening.

For further information about The Other, please head over to our dedicated page here where you can learn more and watch the official trailer.

'The Other' Receives Four Nominations At Midlands Movies Awards 2025

The Midlands Movie Awards have announced their nominations for 2025 and we are beyond delighted that The Other has been recognised in four categories including Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Produced by Dreamfusion Productions in association with YSP Media, The Other was proudly made in locations across both East and West Midlands with a predominantly local crew and lead actor, and we are grateful to Midlands Movies for the nominations and recognition of our work.

Adam Horvath receives his Best Actor nomination for the role of Marcus, whilst Dani Tonks has been recognised for her performance as Ruth in the film. Directed by Christopher Bevan and produced by Belinda Basson of Dreamfusion Productions with a script from Ben Errington, The Other has undergone a challenging journey from production through to final completion. We are very grateful to everyone who has been a part of this film and supported us along the way both in front of and behind the camera, as well as our generous crowdfunding supporters who helped us to complete The Other.

The Midlands Movies Awards 2025 will take place on Saturday 14th June 2025 at The Y Theatre on Saturday 14th June, with the winner of best film chosen by VIP jury panel member Richard Armitage. You can watch the Midlands Movies interview with Richard which is now available on their Youtube channel.

Head over to the official Midlands Movies awards announcement here to find out more about the awards and their year-round work to support filmmakers within this region. Thank you again to Mike Sales and the team for this year’s nominations and the continued support for filmmakers in our region.

BFI NETWORK Funded Short 'Chokehold' From Camakel Productions and YSP Media Wraps

Production has officially wrapped on Chokehold, a new short film written and directed by Christopher Bevan, produced by Catriona Kelly of camakel productions in association with YSP Media, and generously supported by BFI NETWORK. The film, a long-held passion project, was selected for funding last year and completed filming in April 2025 with a standout ensemble cast and an accomplished crew who we are indebted to for their talent and commitment.

Since day one this film production set out to bring emotionally charged storytelling to the intensely striking and physical world of professional wrestling, all whilst being proudly made in the Midlands. This has been made possible thanks to the generous backing of the BFI NETWORK Short Film Fund, our regional BFI Talent Executives in the Midlands, the Television Workshop and the support of Pursuit Pro Wrestling in Sheffield, who have provided invaluable resources and guidance to bring the wrestling sequences to life with authenticity. Producer Catriona Kelly’s passion, tenacity and generosity were instrumental in bringing this dream project together.

“Being on set for Chokehold was a truly magical experience,” said writer and director Chris Bevan. “I was fortunate to collaborate with the most talented and dedicated cast and crew I’ve ever worked with. Their commitment to the story and the craft elevated this project beyond what I could have imagined.”

The film stars Eddie Coates, Philip Bedwell, Lis Hipkiss, Mike ‘Wild Boar’ Hitchman, Ross Marshall, Joanne Barker and Carl Bryan, and was shot by longtime collaborator and cinematographer Karl Poyzer.

Chokehold tells the story of a young teenage boy Lucas who, in a desperate attempt to escape his troubled home life, runs away to seek out his estranged father, a once-famed professional wrestler now working in a small coastal town.

The film is currently entering the post-production stage and is slated for completion later in 2025. Further updates, including festival announcements, screening and premiere, will be shared soon. To view the full slate of funded BFI NETWORK shorts, visit the official BFI funding page here.

BIFA Qualifying Beeston Film Festival Nominates 'The Other' in East Midlands Focus

The Other has been officially selected for the BIFA-qualifying Beeston Film Festival! We’re incredibly proud that this film, produced by Dreamfusion Productions in association with YSP Media, will be screening as part of the East Midlands Focus programme, which showcases the creative talent emerging from our region. This is a wonderful opportunity to share our film with a wider audience and stand alongside a vibrant lineup of regional short films.

We’re also honoured to announce that The Other has received a B’Oscar Award nomination in its category – a fantastic recognition that means a great deal to everyone who has contributed to the project.

A heartfelt thank you to the Beeston Film Festival team for this recognition, and to the cast, crew and crowdfunding backers whose dedication, talent, and passion brought this film to life. It has certainly been a journey – one full of creativity, challenges and unfortunate delays, but most importantly collaboration.

The Other follows serious and meticulous young chef Marcus as he begins to experience increasingly strange and unexplained events that challenge his sanity. With his mindset spiralling into paranoia his desperation is intensified by sightings of a familiar figure. The film, produced by Belinda Basson, directed by Christopher Bevan and written by Ben Errington, has received several festival screenings and nominations over the past twelve months and it is great to be able to bring the film to screen back in our home of the East Midlands. To view the full festival line up, head over to the Beeston Film Festival programme.

Now Closed! Open Casting Call For 'Chokehold' Short Film

Please note applications have now closed. We have received an incredible response to our opening casting call. We are now in the process of reviewing all applications and will be in contact to let all applicants know if they have progressed to the longlist stage of the casting process. Thank you to everyone who has shared and applied!

Camakel Productions in association with YSP Media are currently casting for the upcoming short film Chokehold funded by BFI NETWORK.

We are looking for a UK-based male wrestler with a playing age of between 35-45 for a lead role in the production of short film Chokehold, shooting late-April 2025 and funded by BFI NETWORK. The ideal applicant should have a degree of experience in professional wrestling and be able to take on a challenging dramatic onscreen role. We are not casting for any other roles at this time.

No previous acting experience is required to apply, but we are keen to receive applications from a wide range of talent including those with previous screen experience. This is a paid role. You must be available for all filming and audition dates.

Once we have received your submission and any requested supporting material, we will contact all applicants after the first deadline has passed to let them know if they have been longlisted. At this point, the recording of a self-tape audition scene using a script extract will be requested to determine a shortlist. The final stage of casting will be an in-person audition in Sheffield.

Please head to our application form and submit your details if you are interested in applying!

YSP Media Produces Film For 'Primary Parliament' From Ignite!

Primary Parliament, delivered by Ignite! in collaboration with Nottingham City Council, Child Friendly Nottingham, and ChalleNGe, is a unique initiative that brings together pupil representatives from primary schools across Nottingham City to ensure that children's voices are heard on matters that affect them. This vibrant and empowering event engaged 129 children from 30 different schools, offering them a platform to express their ideas, opinions, and aspirations for their communities and futures.

A central component of this year’s Primary Parliament was the creation of a short film, which served both as a creative outlet for the children and a powerful tool for sharing their perspectives more widely. YSP Media worked closely with the children to capture their voices authentically and engagingly, facilitating filming sessions and working with Ignite! to help students present their views clearly. The completed film highlights the insights and enthusiasm of the young participants as well as documenting. We are grateful to the Ignite! team for bringing us onboard to help create a film which showcases the creativity, confidence, and pride of Nottingham’s young people.

Best Actor Nomination for Adam Horvath in 'The Other'

The Other has been officially selected to screen at the Birmingham Film Festival 2024! We’re honoured to be part of this fantastic and supportive festival, which celebrates a wide range of independent filmmaking talent from across the UK and beyond.

We’re especially proud to announce that Adam Horvath has been nominated for Best Male Actor for his powerful performance as Marcus in the film – a well-deserved recognition of his incredible work and commitment to the role.

The Other will be screening as part of Block L on Sunday, 10th November at 6:00 PM, and we can’t wait to see it come to life on the big screen alongside an amazing selection of films. As part of the festival, we're also in contention for the BFF Bull Award as well as the Audience Award which will decided by those attending the festivals many screenings of shorts and features. A huge thank you to the Birmingham Film Festival team for selecting our film, and to all of the cast, crew, and supporters who helped make this possible.

The Other follows serious and meticulous young chef Marcus who begins to experience increasingly strange and unexplained events that challenge his sanity. With his mindset spiralling into paranoia his desperation is intensified by sightings of a familiar figure. Produced by Belinda Basson of Dreamfusion Productions in association with YSP Media, the film was written by Ben Errington and directed by Christopher Bevan. The cast includes Adam Horvath, Dani Tonks, Liz Leonard, Christopher Tajah and Phil Molloy.

Residential Reflections Co-Creation Film Project Released

Care-experienced young people recently took part in a series of creative workshops aimed at exploring their views on residential care settings. These sessions offered a platform for them to reflect on their lived experiences and express what a supportive and nurturing home should look and feel like. Their insights were captured as part of the Residential Reflections Project, a collaborative initiative led by Nottinghamshire County Council.

This initiative was especially timely, as the council prepares to recommission its residential services with the current 10-year contract for Children's Homes ending in 2025. In keeping with the Our Nottinghamshire Approach to Participation, the local council is committed to embedding young people's perspectives into decision-making processes. The Residential Reflections Project exemplifies this approach by not only gathering feedback but actively involving care-experienced youth in shaping the services designed to support them. By valuing their input and fostering genuine collaboration, the council aims to create environments where all young people feel safe, healthy, and happy.

As part of the Residential Reflections Project, YSP Media and filmmaker Chris Bevan played a key role in facilitating the co-creation workshops and producing a film that captured the young people's experiences and ideas. Through creative activities, storytelling, and guided discussions, participants express their thoughts in ways that felt authentic and empowering. This collaborative approach ensured that the film was not only professionally produced but also truly reflective of the young people’s voices. The creative process allowed care-experienced youth to take ownership of their narratives, resulting in a powerful visual representation of their lives. The film premiered online to an audience of professionals, council representatives, educators and those working in the care system, followed by a brief Q&A on the process. Our thanks to Natelle, Lynn and the team at Nottinghamshire County Council who commissioned us to deliver this meaningful project.

YSP Media Collaborates With Junction Arts for 'Bolsover Partnership' Film

The Bolsover Partnership is a dynamic and collaborative network that unites key service providers, local authorities, community organisations, and public agencies operating within the Bolsover District. Its core mission is to drive forward local regeneration, enhance public services, and foster sustainable development tailored to the needs of the community. By pooling resources, expertise, and local knowledge, the Bolsover Partnership ensures a more coordinated and impactful approach to addressing the social, economic, and environmental challenges facing the area.

To showcase the tangible outcomes of this collaborative effort, a documentary-style film was produced by YSP Media in collaboration with Junction Arts. This film serves as a compelling narrative of the Partnership’s achievements and the real difference it has made in people’s lives. It highlights a range of successful initiatives that have improved cultural engagement, broadened educational opportunities, expanded access to employment and training, and promoted health and wellbeing across the district. Through personal stories, project highlights, and community voices, the film aims to illustrate how collective action can lead to meaningful and lasting change in local communities.

We are incredibly proud to have been involved in the creation of this film and to play a part in celebrating the achievements of the Bolsover Partnership and its vibrant community. It has been fantastic to help tell the story of a district that is rich in resilience, creativity, and a deep sense of local pride. Working alongside passionate individuals and organisations who are dedicated to making a real difference has been truly inspiring. We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a project that not only showcases the positive transformation happening across Bolsover but also highlights the power of community spirit and collaboration. You can now watch the full film produced by YSP Media below.