BFI NETWORK alumni at Venice Biennale and Toronto International Film Festival 2025

BFI NETWORK, made possible with National Lottery funding, proudly supports the next wave of UK filmmaking talent. 

We’re delighted to celebrate a dynamic group of BFI NETWORK alumni whose feature films will premiere at two of the world’s most prestigious festivals this year. 

From early development support to short film funding, and professional development opportunities, BFI NETWORK has supported the formative stages of these filmmakers’ careers. Their selections reflect the depth and diversity of talent nurtured across the UK, and the inspiring creative journeys now reaching international audiences. 

We wish all the teams the best with their screenings. 

Premiering at the festival is Rose of Nevada, the latest work from visionary filmmaker Mark Jenkin, supported by BFI and Film4. Produced by Denzil Monk, with Kingsley Marshall as executive producer.  BFI NETWORK supported Jenkin’s short film Hard, Cracked the Wind (2018).  Denzil Monk also co-produced Hard, Cracked the Wind and is the producer on the recent BFI NETWORK short film Pen Mari (2024). Kingsley Marshall who was Executive Producer on Hard, Cracked the Wind (2018) is also involved with Piss for Blood which received Early Development support in 2022.  

Joining the Venice world premiere list, 100 Nights of Hero is a visually rich and emotionally resonant debut from Julia Jackman who was previously supported by BFI NETWORK through short film funding for The Riley Sisters (2022). The film which will have its UK premiere to close the 69th BFI London Film Festival is produced by Stephanie Aspin, who also produced The Riley Sisters alongside Helen Simmons, an alum of BFI NETWORK@LFF 2018. Simmons has produced  BFI NETWORK short film projects including The Riley Sisters (2022), as well as co-writing and co-directing Measure (2023).  

Also premiering is Ish, directed by Imran Perretta and co-written with Enda Walsh, with Dhiraj Mahey and Bennett McGhee producing. Supported by BFI and BBC Film, this bold and poetic feature is an impressive next step for McGhee, who participated in BFI NETWORK Weekender 2016. 

Rose of Nevada continues its festival journey at TIFF, underscoring the film’s international appeal and the strength of this exciting new project. We are also celebrating a selection of world premieres featuring NETWORK alumni taking place in Toronto. 

Jonatan Etzler’s Bad Apples, written by Jess O’Kane and Rasmus Lindgren and produced by Oskar Pimlott is a sharp and compelling drama that highlights O’Kane’s distinctive voice. Jess was supported through BFI NETWORK@LFF 2018 and received short film funding for Girl At Party (2021). Producer Oskar Pimlott was also involved in two projects which received BFI NETWORK Early Development support in 2019: Zubeida’s Crossing and Nuclear Blue. 

Mārama, a striking Māori gothic debut from London-based filmmaker Taratoa Stappard, first received BFI NETWORK Early Development funding in 2018. The film has been produced in association with the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Whakaata Māori and Images & Sound. 

Ted Evans presents Retreat, a powerful debut supported by BFI and BBC Film, produced by Jennifer Monks and Michelle Stein. Ted Evans received Early Development support for SIGNS in 2020, while Jennifer Monks previously produced BFI NETWORK funded short films An Everyday Act (2018) and Reflections (2021). 

Also premiering is The Man in My Basement, directed by Nadia Latif and co-written with Walter Mosley. Latif is an alum of BFI NETWORK@LFF 2016, and her work continues to explore bold and resonant themes. 

Sophia Gibber, whose previous BFI NETWORK short film credits include producing Precious Hair and Beauty (2021), Rapture (2022), a recent Future Takes funded short film The Insatiable Appetite of Lady Jane Grey and as an Executive Producer on Slow Burn (2023), returns with Wasteman, directed by Cal McMau and written by Hunter Andrews and Eoin Doran. 

Rounding off the TIFF world premieres is The Son and the Sea, directed by Stroma Cairns and co-written with Imogen West, with Jennifer Eriksson executive producing. Stroma Cairns participated in the 2021 BFI NETWORK x BAFTA CREW mentorship programme, while Jennifer Eriksson is an alum of the BFI NETWORK Weekender 2016.