Inspired Film Festival at Watershed

About

This year's Inspired Takeover is an action-packed one-day event with screenings, talks and previews to celebrate Homegrown Filmmakers of Colour from across the country. Featuring contributions from rising stars of the indie film scene the Williams brothers AKA Mandem collective, and Dominique Unsworth from Resource Productions, plus a special preview of new feature film Chevalier – which opens at Watershed on Fri 9 June – a biographical drama of 18th century French-Caribbean musical prodigy Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.

Whether you are an aspiring filmmaker trying to find your path into the industry, an established creative interested in finding ways to develop your practice, or are interested in discovering films by some of the most exciting creative talent out there, there's something for everyone.

New Voices

Join Inspired for an exciting showcase of new short films from emerging UK-based PoC and Black British filmmakers. These curated films will explore the latest works from the innovative creatives breaking boundaries and forging the future of PoC filmmaking across the UK. The showcase will be followed by a Q&A with Ade Femzo, Producer of the award-winning Drop Out, with host Junior Saunders. There will also be an opportunity for audience members and filmmakers to socialise after the screening.

Masterclass 

Founder of Resource Productions CIC Dominique Unsworth MBE kicks off Inspired 23 with a masterclass exploring the different ways of setting up a production company from an expert in the field. After a busy year – Unsworth took her latest feature film Little English on a national tour, she is looking forward to sharing her insights and offering some key tips to anyone looking to get their own creative company off the ground.

Mid20s

A spiritual epilogue to Last Summer in Oxford from the Williams brothers. Mid20s takes place over twenty-four hours in London and follows a variety of twenty-somethings as they navigate their way through a day in the capital. This premiere screening of the Williams brothers' new film is a searing insight into what it’s like to be in your mid-twenties and new to living in the big smoke.

Homegrown 

Whatever stage you are at in your journey in film, whether you just enjoy watching films or are starting to make your own work, this is a chance to experience the latest work from upcoming Writer / Director Corinne Walker and get an insight into her latest film, Homegrown.

Homegrown is a dark drama with a hint of horror which uncovers racism, exploitation and modern-day slavery on a fruit farm in the South West.

On the hottest day in the year, homesick Barbadian fruit farm worker Nicole gears up for another day of back-breaking work under the watchful eye of supervisor Travis. On this particular day however, it seems as though Nicole’s prayers have been answered when Mr Jones, the farm’s elusive owner pays a surprise visit. Nicole spends the day trying to draw his attention to the inhumane conditions. While as the heat rises, it gets harder to know what’s real and what’s not.

Chevailier

A special Preview Screening for Inspired 23.

Chevalier is the untold true story of composer Joseph Bologne, and how he defied racial norms to become the renowned musical genius known as Chevalier de Saint-Georges from Director Stephen Williams.

The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr. in a tour de force performance), rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) herself and her court. As French society faces revolution, Chevalier must choose where his true loyalties lie.