'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.

Lytham International Film Festival Screens 'The Other'

The bank holiday weekend of 23rd-25th August saw the return of the annual Lytham International Film Festival which featured a jam packed three days of screenings, previews and Q&A’s with filmmakers.

Our short film ‘The Other’ produced by Dreamfusion Productions in association with YSP Media was an official selection and screened as part of the outdoor After Dark programme. The stormy weather only added to the experience, with an eclectic line up of short horror and thriller films entertaining and spooking the audience in attendance. 

The entire weekend proved to be hugely enjoyable thanks to the warm welcome from the LYIFF team and excellent quality of short films from the UK, local region and around the world. It was great to meet and connect with other filmmakers through the organised welcome event and post-screening. The highlights of the weekend also included getting chance to check out a curated selection of phenomenal BFI Film Hub North funded films and the regional filmmaker programmes. There was some truly stunning work here. 

A huge thank you must go to the festival team, staff and volunteers at Lytham Pavilion for a well organised weekend. We hope the festival continues to grow and look forward to attending again in the future!

'The Other' Official Selection at The Short Cinema Film Festival

This weekend The Other will have its first official festival screening as part of The Short Cinema in Leicester. Our film is proudly made in the Midlands and it is great to be screening as part of a selection of films from the region. We hope to be able to announce further opportunities for cast, crew and our crowdfunding supporters to be able to watch the film very soon.

Serious and meticulous young chef Marcus (Adam Horvath) 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 Other is produced by Dreamfusion Productions in association with YSP Media, produced by Belinda Basson, directed by Christopher Bevan and written by Ben Errington.

BFI Midlands Directors Lab 2024 Selection Announcement

BFI Film Hub Midlands have released their announcement of the twelve directors selected for the first Midlands Directors Lab. We are thrilled to say that YSP Media’s Christopher Bevan has been chosen as one of the filmmakers in the region to receive this incredible opportunity.

In their official announcement posted earlier today, BFI Film Hub Midlands said, ‘Our class of 2024 will be joining us for a weekend of learning and networking at Broadway Cinema, Nottingham as they develop their directorial skills and gain insights to support them in the next steps of their creative journey. Over the weekend we will be joined by established directors from television and film, as well as other industry experts to share their insights on taking those next steps into high-end television and feature films. They will also be joined by members of the cohorts for Creative Producers Lab 2023 and Stories to Shorts Script Development to help build their networks.

The selected directcohort brings together a wealth of directorial experience from across the region, each bringing different perspectives and backgrounds to the weekend. We have been enjoying their work already and we can't wait to see what is in store for them next.’

This first ever Directors Lab will be held at the Broadway Cinema between 9th-10th March and will be allow for new connections and networks to be formed, as well as a shared learning environment from experienced directors, producers and writers from across the world of film and TV. The full announcement from BFI Film Hub Midlands is available online here along with details of the full cohort of selected directors from across the region.

'Magic Carpet Ride' Lands At Birmingham Film Festival

Last weekend Birmingham Film Festival welcomed filmmakers from across the UK to Millenium Point for a week of short films, features, music videos and much more. A receptive audience packed into the enormous cinema for regular blocks of film screenings and Q&As with some of the talent involved in the productions.

Earlier this year YSP Media was thrilled to receive word that we had been nominated for two awards at BFF including Best Music Video and the BFF Bull Award, the grand prize for the best work in the entire festival. Director Chris Bevan was in attendance for the screening of our music video for the screening of Gazelle’s ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ which was showcased amongst an excellent block of short films on Sunday 19th November. The experience of watching our work on such an incredible cinema screen was a memorable one

YSP Media sends thanks to the entire cast, crew and of course Gazelle! The response to the video has been amazing since the first launch and we're grateful for the BFF team for these awards nominations and organising such a welcoming and exciting screening event. We hope to return to the festival in future! You can watch the full video for ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ online as part of our music video portfolio here.

Short Teaser for 'The Other’ Arrives Online

Following completion of post-production and the start of festival submissions, a very short teaser for our film ‘The Other’ has been released online. A co-production between Dreamfusion Productions and YSP Media, the short thriller stars Adam Horvath as Marcus, a serious and meticulous young chef 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. Dani Tonks, Christopher Tajah and Liz Leonard co-star in the film which is set to premiere in 2024.

After a challenging few years through a global pandemic, personal loss and challenges faced by core team members and post-production crew availability, we are hoping it will soon be time to allow our cast, crew, supporters, crowdfunding backers and audiences the opportunity to finally watch The Other in the way it was intended. Stay tuned for further updates in the coming months and visit our dedicated page for the film here to find out more about this ambitious production.

Adam Horvath as Marcus in ‘The Other’ from Dreamfusion Productions and YSP Media

YSP Media Director Chris Bevan BBC Radio Derby Interview

Filmmaker and creative director of YSP Media Christopher Bevan joined BBC Radio Derby presenter Ian Skye this week for an interview to discuss filmmaking work, family and among other things a shared love of the Star Wars saga. After recently being interviewed as part of a feature on Derby’s BFI Film Academy where Chris works as course leader, the station approached with an offer to appear on the ‘Lunch With…’ show which features conversations with local individuals working in arts, culture, politics, business and more. Chris was delighted to accept the invite and grateful for the opportunity. Our thanks go to Ian Skye and the production team for the warm welcome and interview. An abridged version of the broadcast recorded on 13th September 2023 is available to listen back to at the link.

Award Nomination and Official Selection at Mansfield Town Film Festival

The inaugural Mansfield Town Film Festival takes place in July this year and we’re delighted to have two of our recent music video projects selected to screen, including an award nomination at the closing ceremony of the three-day event. Our video for ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ by Gazelle has been nominated in the Best Music Video category and we are also thrilled to have the video for ‘Arcadia’ screening as an Official Selection in the festival.

Taking place from July 14th-16th at the Mansfield Palace Theatre, the festival ‘promises to be the largest cultural event in Mansfield’s history, with filmmakers travelling from all over the world to check out the over 120 films on show, and engage in the many workshops, masterclasses, and Q&As across three exciting days.’ Thanks to Jay and the festival team for selecting our work and organising this terrific event. You can find out more at their website mansfieldtownfilmfestival.com.

Keep an eye on our social media channels for more from the festival when we attend next month!

'Lady Blue Sky' New Video for Gazelle Released

A brand new music video for Leicester-based band Gazelle has been released online ahead of the new single ‘Lady Blue Sky’ later this month. Taking inspiration from iconic rooftop music performances of the past, most notably of course The Beatles, this take from Gazelle features the band’s signature flair and style which have become a hallmark of their music and video releases. Take a look!

The video for ‘Lady Blue Sky’ was filmed over an afternoon on a rooftop in central Leicester, bringing together a crowd of local extras and fans of the group. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for their time and dedication, as well as the location for providing permission to shoot. It was another tough shoot due to accessibility but the end result was certainly worth it.

‘Lady Blue Sky’ is now available for download ahead of the release on June 16th. Download here.

Macmillan Charity Campaign Video for 1000 Mile Bike Ride

YSP Media has just completed work on a promotional video for a charity campaign to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Derby-based Damien Ransome will be taking on a 1000 mile bike ride, travelling the length of the UK from Land’s End to John O’Groats in a so-called ‘Iron Butt Challenge’.

To date Damien has raised over £1000 for Macmillan through charitable donations from individuals and businesses. YSP Media’s Christopher Bevan was approached by Damien’s wife Pam to produce the video and we were absolutely committed to getting involved and supporting this worthy cause. Filming took place in Long Eaton at the Roy Pidcock BMW dealership which allowed for us to capture footage of the showroom, workshop and Damien’s interview with BBC Radio Derby to promote the charity challenge he is taking on.

The ride takes place on Thursday 15th June and we send our support to Damien as he faces this huge undertaking. It’s not going to be easy! You can back the Just Giving campaign page here and please do support this fantastic charity effort.

'Making Our Place' Nominated at Midlands Movies Awards 2023

'Making Our Place' has been nominated for the Midlands Movies Awards 2023 in Best Documentary category. Commissioned by Junction Arts alongside the production of ‘Our Place’, a project which saw seven East Midlands based arts organisations co-create work with their local communities, the documentary has been released online and screened at events to celebrate the work undertaken by all involved.

Our thanks to Mike Sales and the Midlands Movies selection panel for nominating ‘Making Our Place’ in this category. It means a great deal to have our work recognised and have a platform to further spread the word about the work community arts organisations like Junction Arts are undertaking. A full list of nominees for the awards is now available here and we’d like to share our congratulations with all the deserving filmmakers who have been selected. The awards ceremony takes place on June 10th at the Y Theatre in Leicester.

You can watch ‘Making Our Place’ below and please visit junctionarts.org/our-place/ to find out more about the full project and watch the films made by each community.

“
Making Our Place has been a journey; both physically and creatively. A project created to unite artists, organisations and participants across the East Midlands, Our Place really does showcase the best the region has to offer through art and through the spirit of the communities it touches.”

— Christopher Bevan, Filmmaker

You can visit the official Junction Arts page on the making of Our Place here for further information.

Short Stack at Broadway Selects 'Arcadia' Music Video for Screening

‘Arcadia’ rolls into Short Stack Festival this month! We are pleased to reveal that our recent Western music video for Gazelle will play on the big screen at the Broadway Cinema in Nottingham on Sunday 15th January. This promises to be a jam-packed evening of short film, music videos, animation, documentaries and more in a showcase curated by the Short Stack selection team.

Our thanks to David Lilley and his team for selecting our work and organising the event. Nottingham publication Left Lion have previewed the event which you can read here. Tickets are also available through the box office at the Broadway website now.

Gazelle 'Arcadia' Western Music Video Premieres

We’re proud to unveil our latest collaboration with Gazelle for their brand new track ‘Arcadia’ in the form of a Western-set video. This ambitious project was the result of the hard work of all involved and we’re incredibly grateful to the team both in front of and behind the camera who pulled together to make it happen.

‘Arcadia’ stars Gazelle’s Ryan Dunn, Darren Maffucci and Kenny Dunn as the central cast of the video, which features a story of revenge and retribution in a small Western town. Drawing on a string of influences spanning the decades of Western genre films in cinema, director Christopher Bevan worked closely with the creative team including DOP Mike Brindley, editor Stef Hrycyk and MUA Vicky Buxton to build this world on a incredibly limited budget, and we are thrilled with the results. Staff at the location of Laredo Western Town in Kent were key to the success of the shoot, with a detailed location and hired costumes being key to the authenticity of the setting. A rapid-fire filming day meant we had to move quickly, with assistant director Matthew B.C. supporting and ensuring we got everything in the can.

Our micro crew also included AC Jonathan Dwyer and MU assistant Kellie Carpenter, both of whom were integral to the shoot and providing creative input during the day. The word collaborative is used a lot when it comes to these kinds of shoots, and it really does represent the effort that went into the production. A Western is the kind of project we’ve hoped to work on but never expected, so we’re thankful to Gazelle for helping make it happen! Hope you like the video, check it out below along with a selection of stills.