We are excited to announce the eight filmmakers who represented the Midlands in the 2024 BFI NETWORK Creative Producers Lab. Our class of 2024 joined eight selected producers from the North on a career and creative journey over the last few months.
During this time, the filmmakers sharpened their production management skills, learned from exciting industry figures and expanded their filmmaking networks. The lab finished at Aesthetica Film Festival 2024, where the producers had the opportunity to experience the festival, engage in industry talks and network with the Script Lab participants from both Midlands and Northern cohorts.
BFI NETWORK Creative Producers Lab is a partnership between Film Hub Midlands, Film Hub North and BFI NETWORK.
The lab's Midlands cohort draws together Producers with a range of filmmaking and arts experience from across the region. We can't wait to see how their slates will develop and what projects we'll see from them next - but, in the meantime, we're proud to introduce the class of 2024.
Poppy Abbott
Poppy is a creative producer and actor based in Birmingham. She first started producing theatre and transitioned into film when she adapted her play ‘Blackout’ into a short film, which was funded by the ‘City on Screen’ short film fund.
Poppy co-runs Untamed Productions through which she recently produced short film ‘No Worries If Not.’ She also runs scratch nights and initiatives to support new writing. Poppy is passionate about telling stories with strong female narratives and is particularly interested in dark comedies. She loves to explore social issues and human relationships through wit and humour.
Arun Kapur
Arun Kapur is an award winning film producer from the city of Wolverhampton. From a mixture of micro shorts, shorts, music videos and also his upcoming debut feature film, Arun is a firm believer in how Important it is to keep the Industry alive.
Arun also believes we all have a story to tell, so let’s tell it! Outside of film production, Arun is also a co-founder and director of Wolverhampton Film Festival.
Faye Campbell
Faye is an actor and creative producer from Wolverhampton, who co-produced her debut short film in 2023, for which she also co-wrote a song featured in the score.
Faye additionally works as a project manager and is soon to step into a new role helping coordinate the Birmingham sector of IGNITE—a collaborative initiative between the National Youth Theatre and Netflix that offers introductory workshops for behind-the-camera roles for 16- 25 year olds. In addition to this she is in pre-production for a micro short. Faye is passionate about creating film that explores the complexities of human connection and providing opportunities for regional creatives in front and behind the camera.
Georgia Neath
Georgia Neath is an actor and producer from the West Midlands, known for her work in the Raindance-qualifying feature film Hilda, executive produced by Tim Roth, and the BBC Three mini-series 0121, directed by Charlotte Regan.
Georgia has a solid production background in both commercial and narrative film, with strong networks in the Midlands and a growing presence in the South.
Her debut short film DOSED, which she produced and starred in, made waves both regionally and internationally on the festival circuit. Including a win for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the Midlands Movies Awards 2023, Best Edit at the London International Monthly Film Festival 2023, was selected for the London Lift-Off Film Festival 2023 and reached the semifinals at the New York International Women Film Festival 2023. Georgia's work reflects her commitment to storytelling and her roots, showcasing her talent both behind and in front of the camera.
Julia Bentley
Julia is a British-French actor, writer and producer. She graduated from East 15’s BA Acting and Contemporary Theatre Course in 2021.
While there, she won the Tom Bennett Comedy Award and produced her first short film under the mentorship of Adam El Hagar and Richard Perryman. Transferring her skills from producing for theatre, she is passionate about character-driven work and is excited by absurd comedy and hard hitting drama with a voice for change at its core.
Yasmin Boxall
Yasmin is a creative producer from Northampton. While developing her short film slate, she currently works independently in commercial production, in 2023 she was an APA x CMN mentee.
Yasmin enjoys collaborating with directors and other producers to create characters and content that entertains and connects with audiences.
John Bradburn
John Bradburn is an acclaimed music video producer celebrated for his dynamic collaborations with artists from around the globe.
His work showcases a keen eye for storytelling and a bold approach to visual artistry, reflecting his passion for crafting compelling narratives that resonate across cultures.
Beyond music videos, John has expanded his creative expertise into interactive filmmaking, contributing to innovative projects such as immersive installations for The Science Museum. His work in this space bridges technology and storytelling, creating experiences that engage and inspire audiences on a deeper level.
Driven by a fascination with confrontational and controversial topics, John is unafraid to push boundaries. His projects often explore themes that challenge societal norms and provoke meaningful conversations, cementing his reputation as a fearless and thought-provoking creative.
Rhiannon Bennett
Rhiannon Bennett is a Producer/Actor born and raised in Bristol, now residing in the East Midlands. Rhiannon graduated The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (also Angles) in 2019 where she studied acting.
But in 2021 after accidentally writing a short film, she decided to produce it. Since then Rhiannon has gone on to produce a number of multi-award winning and nominated short films working with BAFTA and Oscar winning crew with her production company Across The Street Productions.
Rhiannon loves stories that are weighted in truth, that can make the audience think and aims to help evoke change.