PEOPLE

Bex is a Drama and Screen Studies graduate from the University of Manchester. She has been Coordinator of Insight since Autumn 2010 and has overseen the launch of the festival internationally. Bex is interested in the role film plays shaping opinion and understanding of other countries and cultures, and is involved with Insight because she believes the festival is important as a catalyst for education and development, as well as a platform for new and innovative filmmaking.

“In the 1990s I began mentoring young entrants to the film industry. I met one young camera assistant with strong faith who noticed my background wanted to talk about how little encouragement he got from industry colleagues. It mirrored my own experience. At the same time, all around us anyone who cared to could see the obvious need to explore, discuss and understand ideas about faith. We discussed film festivals and how important they are to young filmmakers who need an audience to progress their careers. We began to dream about possibilities. I talked the idea around with some of my professional friends and media contacts, and the Insight Festival began …”

“What excites me most about the Insight Festival is the opportunity it provides for young filmmakers to explore topics that do not tend to receive much broadcast time in the UK. I’d felt for a while that many of the talented young people that I was fortunate to work with did not have an outlet for more contemplative and questioning films – in order to succeed in the UK screen industries then they often seemed to be under pressure to make fast-paced, kinetic music videos, established genre pieces and, well, formula, however well-made. What I hope the Insight Festival will encourage are films of integrity and creativity that are socially-engaged and imaginative in their approach. The last thing the Festival is intended to be, for me, is a showcase for religious recruitment videos – but what I hope it will do is offer a forum for young people to question and enlighten through the combination of sound and image, whether critiquing faith or championing it.”

Johannes Sjoberg is a lecturer in Screen Studies at The University of Manchester with a professional background in acting and ethnographic filmmaking. Specializing in screen practice as research, Sjoberg is primarily interested in the ethnographic aspects of faith related films, drawing on community based filmmaking and exhibition as a catalyst for cultural dialogue.

Johannes oversees the shortlisting and programming of the Insight Festival film programmes.

Joel manages the Insight blog, and is involved with PR and digital marketing for the festival. He has a Masters in Media & Journalism, and is currently working for a small internet marketing company in Manchester. He is passionate about community cohesion, and has also been involved in the PR for an inter-faith art project at the DVI Clinic in Jerusalem, where disadvantaged children of all ethnicities and religions are given free dental care. Joel also writes about digital rights for ORG Zine, and hopes to continue being published as a freelance journalist.

New York City, USA

Alexandra is a University of Manchester Graduate who has spent the last eighteen months living and working in New York City. Alex has worked for independent US film companies such as Greencard Pictures and Epoch Films, and currently works for i-D Magazine. Alexandra has worked as an Insight Ambassador for the last six months, spreading the word about the Festival at events like NYC DocFest, and helping Insight connect with US filmmaking communities.

“I am now set upon working as a screenwriter, and faith is a topic studied by more screenplays than we perhaps realise. What drew me to Insight was its involvement of new and emerging filmmakers and handing them that first step that sometimes isn’t easy to make.”

Hong Kong, China

Casper is a marketing student based in Manchester and Hong Kong. He works as a researcher and marketing officer for the festival, working with Insight in both the UK and his native China by developing connections with students and filmmakers in the region. Casper also provides key research and translation services for the festival which helps Insight form relationships across the globe.

Cairo, Egypt

Ehab works as a marketing officer and a researcher for Insight Festival from his base in Cairo. With experience in Egyptian film and television, Ehab helps Insight connect with the local media by networking with filmmakers and students. Ehab also provides translation services for Insight which allows the festival to communicate with the wider community. Ehab hopes to go into television and journalism in his future career.

Albania

Sonida is currently on a gap year before her final year of a Journalism degree at the University of Westminster. She is passionate about the media and entertainment industry, specifically film documentaries. Sonida helps to connect Insight to the Albanian communities in the UK and overseas, as well as connecting with the filmmaking community in Albania.

Alex is a student in Manchester studying Chinese and Russian. He is working with Insight to produce viral adverts which will be used to promote the festival and its activities. Alex is keen to learn about all aspects of film production, from development to directing, and in his future career he’d like to work in comedy.

Alice is a Geography student at the University of Manchester. She is volunteering with Insight because “it allows people from all backgrounds to express their faiths through film”. Her dream job would to be paid to travel the world and research into other countries and cultures.

Alys is a University of Manchester student studying Law with Politics. She is eager to pursue a career in journalism once she has graduated, and is working with Insight as part of the PR team. Through her work with Insight Alys hopes to gain valuable experience she can take forward into her future career.

Carly is a media student studying at Manchester Metropolitan University. Carly is a key part of the PR team and works to connect Insight with local press. After finishing her undergraduate degree she hopes to go on to a Masters in Event Management. Carly is writing her dissertation on film festivals, and feel her experiences at Insight will aid her research.

Daniel is studying Television and Radio at The University of Salford. Daniel is helping to produce viral adverts for Insight Festival and is hoping to build upon his previous filmmaking skills in a new environment.

Elena is an Interior Design student at The University of Salford. She is helping to produce viral adverts with Insight Festival, and is specifically focused on production design and art direction.  In her future career she hopes to work in set and production design for film.

Eloise is final year undergraduate at the University of Manchester. She interested in production and became involved with the festival to in order to learn skills that will help in her future career.

“I am interested in the competition film entries at this years Insight Film Festival, as I believe it is a great opportunity for aspiring filmmakers.”

Graeme is a graduate from The University of Aberdeen with an MA from Newcastle. Graeme is a key member of the PR team and is hoping to develop his skills in this area to pursue a future career in journalism. Graeme is also interested in community projects, new media and education.

Jeffrey is a student at The University of Manchester studying Tissue Engineering for Regenerative Medicine. Despite his academic focus on science, Jeffrey has a passion for film and media and is helping to produce viral adverts for Insight Festival. Jeffrey is especially interested in presenting on camera and hopes to learn these skills whilst he is part of the Viral Ads team.

Jemma is a History student at The University of Manchester. She is pursuing a career in media and journalism, and is interested by the issue of faith in the media, explored by the Insight Festival. Jemma hopes to glean some useful experience by working with Insight, specifically in PR and marketing.

Matthew is currently finishing a Politics and International Relations degree at the University of Salford. Matthew is interested in a career in politics in some capacity, but also has a passion for film and got involved with the festival to further his knowledge of film and social media. His principle work so far has been the development of Insight Festival’s Twitter page.

Natalie is currently studying English Language and Linguistics at the University of Salford. Natalie got involved with Insight to develop her networking, PR and marketing skills.

Since volunteering with Insight, Natalie has worked with social media facilities such as Facebook, Twitter and blogging, and has also successfully written and published an article in the Salford Student Direct newspaper.

“I have a passionate belief that understanding different cultures and religions promotes social cohesion. There are many platforms that can be used to inform and educate people and film is a particularly strong one.”

Scott is an Economics student at the University of Manchester. He is interested in pursuing a career in journalism after graduation, and is a vital part of the PR and media team for Insight Festival. Scott is hoping to develop his PR and research skills and forge some useful connections for his future career.