Wensum Trust Teacher wins National Film Award!
It was time to take the spotlight, when a teacher from a Wensum Trust school was presented with a prestigious film award at a red-carpet ceremony in London.
Ash Williams, who is Senior Teacher at Burnham Market Primary and Nursery School, was awarded Filmmaking Champion at the annual Into Film Awards, which took place on Tuesday 16 June at the Odeon in Leicester Square.
The accolade recognises ‘individuals or groups that facilitate and support young filmmakers to find an outlet through filmmaking’, and was presented by Bafta-winning director Akinola Davies and actress Corinna Brown.
Mr Williams was delighted to receive the award.
“It was a pretty amazing feeling,” he said. “I’ve been making films on my own since I was a kid myself, and have been working with young people to produce their own short films for 16 years.
“In that time, I’ve been lucky enough to attend the Into Film Awards on many occasions – first as a student, then a mentor, before as a teacher, supporting my own students. So to finally stand on the stage as a ‘Filmmaking Champion’ was a pretty momentous experience.”
His work last year saw Burnham Market win Best Film for SI Superficial Intelligence, while the pupils’ latest project, SpaceBop, is due to premiere at Fakenham Cinema on 7 July.
He continued: “Since joining Burnham Market Primary, I’ve developed a rich film-making ethos in the school, with every child now having access to film making and animation as part of the learning journeys.
“Over the past four years, I’ve supported Burnham Market students to produce multiple films, which have gained multiple national awards, and even been screened at both national and international film festivals.
“Outside of school, I’m also Fakenham Film Festival Director, where I also support the local community in coming together to celebrate and make films. I support local charities, such as Music in the Burnhams and Active Fakenham, producing films of their events. Alongside this, I’m also an Into Film Ambassador – currently the only one in Norfolk.”
The Awards Ceremony was hosted by BBC presenter Konnie Huq, while stars attending included actors Peter Capaldi and Nick Frost, and actress Jodie Whittaker.
Mr Williams added: “To get a national accolade for my passion for film making and bringing film making into the classroom feels like a massive stamp of approval for doing a good thing. I love film and film making – there’s no better tool that brings everyone together to work on a project that truly bridges every subject and every skill.
“From English to Maths, Computing, PHSE [Personal, Health, Social, and Economic Education] and beyond, film making is a fantastically creative skill to have, and one that I have an absolute passion for advocating. So to get an award for that feels pretty good.”