Meet the Judges
Award Judges
We are delighted to announce our 2021 Judging Panel.
The National Youth Film Awards are judged by film industry experts in their field, We wish to thank our panel of 2021 all of who have volunteered their time to help recognise and promote the talent of young filmmakers and actors aged 16 - 29 . You can find out more about our judges by clicking on their profile.
Award winners will be announced on 4th December.
National Youth Film Awards
JUDGING PANEL
Anuree De Silva
Anuree has nearly twenty years’ experience as an editor working across both feature film and episodic television. From assembling the iconic British feature ‘Trainspotting’ to comedy ‘Christmas Survival’, her route to the editor’s chair has comprised psychological thriller, horror, romance, comedy and documentary.
Philip Méheux
Philip Méheux, BSC (born 17 September 1941) is an English cinematographer. He has often worked with directors John Mackenzie, Martin Campbell and Raja Gosnell. He was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography for the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale. He is a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and served as President of the British Society of Cinematographers between 2002 and 2006.
Yasmin Khudhairi
Industry celebrated, Yasmin Al-Khudhairi is a British actress who is known for Killing Eve, Hilda and playing the role of Fizza in Ackley Bridge.
Adam Morse
ADAM MORSE (Writer/Director/ Producer) is an international award-winning filmmaker from London, England. Morse first emerged with critically acclaimed short film debut The Window (2014) , it’s since screened at film festivals around the world and won multiple audience/jury awards. Honours include an Audience Award for ‘Best Short Film’ at the London Independent Film Festival; and an Official Selection at Cannes Film Festival’s Marche du Film.
Adam recently wrote, directed and produced his first feature film Lucid (2019) starring Billy Zane. It had a sold out world premiere at the 72nd Edinburgh International Film Festival where it was nominated for the prestigious ‘Michael Powel Award’.
Morse is currently developing his next feature film, a dark comedy called ‘China Blue’ .
Adam recently wrote, directed and produced his first feature film Lucid (2019) starring Billy Zane. It had a sold out world premiere at the 72nd Edinburgh International Film Festival where it was nominated for the prestigious ‘Michael Powel Award’.
Morse is currently developing his next feature film, a dark comedy called ‘China Blue’ .
Simon Bird
In 2010 Bird created a BBC Three comedy panel show The King Is Dead, in which a well-known person is hypothetically killed off and a panel of three personalities go head-to-head in a series of satirical quiz rounds and challenges in their bid to replace them.
He hosted alongside Nick Mohammed and Katy Wix. Another of Bird's projects is Friday Night Dinner, a single-camera comedy written by Robert Popper and made by Big Talk Productions. Although his character in Friday Night Dinner is a member of a Jewish family (the Friday night dinner being a Jewish tradition).
Simon Bird returned to the character of Will McKenzie in The Inbetweeners Movie which was released on 17 August 2011. Bird has also recently co-created, co-written, and co-starred in a pilot, 'Chickens', for Channel 4, alongside Jonny Sweet and Joe Thomas. It is about three men who remain in England during World War I. It was broadcast as part of Channel 4's Comedy Showcase season. In 2012, Sky1 picked up a 6 episode season, filming began in late 2012 and the series premiered in Summer 2013.
He hosted alongside Nick Mohammed and Katy Wix. Another of Bird's projects is Friday Night Dinner, a single-camera comedy written by Robert Popper and made by Big Talk Productions. Although his character in Friday Night Dinner is a member of a Jewish family (the Friday night dinner being a Jewish tradition).
Simon Bird returned to the character of Will McKenzie in The Inbetweeners Movie which was released on 17 August 2011. Bird has also recently co-created, co-written, and co-starred in a pilot, 'Chickens', for Channel 4, alongside Jonny Sweet and Joe Thomas. It is about three men who remain in England during World War I. It was broadcast as part of Channel 4's Comedy Showcase season. In 2012, Sky1 picked up a 6 episode season, filming began in late 2012 and the series premiered in Summer 2013.
Ros & John Hubbord
Together, Ros & John Hubbord have cast films such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit, Evita, Angela’s Ashes, The Mummy, The Bourne Trilogy and The Da Vinci Code, working closely with Hollywood directors such as Peter Jackson, Paul Greengrass, Sir Alan Parker and Ron Howard. Irish projects include The Commitments, Father Ted, Bloody Sunday, and Angela’s Ashes. Ros and John have brought several well known actors to fame, having discovered Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Colin Farrell, Orlando Bloom, Sienna Miller and Kate Winslet. Hubbard Casting is based in London, where Ros and John’s children, Dan and Amy, are hugely successful casting directors in their own right. Recent projects include Journey’s End, Little Women, Starfish, 100 Streets, The Promise, Interlude in Prague, and The More you Ignore Me.
Carolyn McLeod
Casting for over 15 years, Carolyn is a freelance Casting Director, who specialises in Film and TV / Streaming content. She has worked with directors including Paul Schrader, Stephen Herek, Michael Caton-Jones and Sofia Coppola. Recent projects include: BOILING POINT, with Stephen Graham (nominated for 11 BIFA 2021 awards, including Best Casting, SWEETHEART (nominated for 5 BIFA 2021 awards) VILLAIN, THE BALLAD OF BILLY McCRAE, A GIFT FROM BOB and RED SANDRA. Other projects include: for Netflix: AFTERLIFE OF THE PARTY and THE PRINCESS SWITCH TRILOGY. She is a Bafta member and Secretary of the European Chapter of the Casting Society of America.
Vicky Alcock
Alcock played the prisoner Julie Saunders in all eight series of the television drama series, Bad Girls and Agnes Clarke in The House of Eliott. In January 2012, Alcock was cast as Lorraine Stevens (née Salter), the ex-prostitute mother of Mandy Salter (Nicola Stapleton), in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, reviving the role from Linda Henry, who starred as Salter until 1992. Her first episode was broadcast on 1 March. Alcock appeared in the 2009 Easter Special Doctor Who episode titled Planet of the Dead, playing Angela Whittaker alongside the Tenth Doctor (played by David Tennant). She also appeared alongside the Sixth Doctor (played by Colin Baker) on the Doctor Who Lost Story audio titled Power Play, playing Marion Tudor (who disliked being called "Mary"), a leading protestor against a controversial nuclear power plant.
Alcock is currently starting in the BBC comedy People Just do Nothing, playing Carol, and the Netflix original movie, Nobody Gets Out Alive
Alcock is currently starting in the BBC comedy People Just do Nothing, playing Carol, and the Netflix original movie, Nobody Gets Out Alive
Andrew Ellard
Andrew Ellard is a writer and script editor who has worked on shows including Red Dwarf, The IT Crowd and Miranda.
He has worked with many of the best-known names in Comedy writing including Graham Linehan, Julia Davis, Doug Naylor, James and Peter Serafinowicz.
He shares his advice on creating great sitcom characters, the importance of structure and which problems he encounters most frequently with scripts.
He has worked with many of the best-known names in Comedy writing including Graham Linehan, Julia Davis, Doug Naylor, James and Peter Serafinowicz.
He shares his advice on creating great sitcom characters, the importance of structure and which problems he encounters most frequently with scripts.
Ben Palmer
Ben Palmer is a British film and television director. His television credits include the Channel 4 sketch show Bo' Selecta! (2002–2006), the second and third series of the E4 sitcom The Inbetweeners (2009–2010) and the Sky Atlantic comedy-drama Breeders (2020). Palmer has also directed films such as the Inbetweeners spin-off, The Inbetweeners Movie (2011) and the romantic comedy Man Up (2015).
Zoë Rocha
Zoë Rocha, founder of RubyRock Pictures, previously Zoe produced Channel 5 comedy Borderline and Sky’s Chris O’Dowd-fronted Moone Boy and was TV boss at The Fyzz Facility
Alison Law
Alison is an Agent at McKinney Macartney Management one of the leading technicians' agencies for over twenty years.
Representing some of the best and most accomplished technicians in the world of film, television, commercials, and music promos.
Representing some of the best and most accomplished technicians in the world of film, television, commercials, and music promos.
Sean Barton
Sean Barton has been a film editor since the late seventies, working on many features in a wide variety of genres. His most notable credits include the conclusion of the original Star Wars trilogy, Return of the Jedi, the cult classic Quadrophenia, based on The Who album, and the acclaimed thriller Eye of the Needle. He also edited Jagged Edge, starring Jeff Bridges and Glenn Close, sci-fi horror The Fly II and Hearts of Fire, which starred Bob Dylan and Rupert Everett. Sean’s credits also include the Jason Statham action films Chaos and Tracker.
Sue Jones
Susan Elizabeth Jones was born in North Wales where she stayed until age 18. Her passion for acting carried on throughout university; however, her decision to cast led to work off screen.
She is most known for Gary Oldman's BAFTA award winning, Nil By Mouth and the UK casting of Robert DeNiro in the Good Shepherd.
She is most known for Gary Oldman's BAFTA award winning, Nil By Mouth and the UK casting of Robert DeNiro in the Good Shepherd.
Paul Alexander
Paul Alexander is a British comedy writer. He has written or contributed to My Hero, Red Dwarf, The 10 Percenters, My Spy Family, Babes in the Wood, Lovejoy, Horrid Henry, Bedsitcom, Goodnight Sweetheart,The Green Green Grass, My Parents Are Aliens, 2point4 children", Neighbors from Hell, Summer in Transylvania and Emmerdale.
As a young teen in the UK, Paul was culturally-colonized by Marvel Comics and grew up with one ambition: to draw Spider-Man! He had no clue how to do this as he didn't have any media connections (although his dad DID offer to get him a job with British Gas) but while at university he self-published his own 'graphic novel' and sent a copy to the president of the Society of Strip Illustrators, David Lloyd, who wrote back and told Paul that his drawing was well-dodgy -- but his writing was quite promising.
Taking the hint, Paul switched to writing scripts for comics and started selling Sci-Fi/fantasy stories to publisher D.C Thomson and Co in Dundee. Aged 21 he also started writing his first TV play, 'Watching' which ended up being made and broadcast by the BBC.
As a young teen in the UK, Paul was culturally-colonized by Marvel Comics and grew up with one ambition: to draw Spider-Man! He had no clue how to do this as he didn't have any media connections (although his dad DID offer to get him a job with British Gas) but while at university he self-published his own 'graphic novel' and sent a copy to the president of the Society of Strip Illustrators, David Lloyd, who wrote back and told Paul that his drawing was well-dodgy -- but his writing was quite promising.
Taking the hint, Paul switched to writing scripts for comics and started selling Sci-Fi/fantasy stories to publisher D.C Thomson and Co in Dundee. Aged 21 he also started writing his first TV play, 'Watching' which ended up being made and broadcast by the BBC.
Bill Petire
Bill began his career as an actor and spent his resting time working as a temp for casting directors and agents. Being a bit of an entrepreneur with a lot of forward thinking, he decided to start an agency of his own initially setting up in business with his own agent and latterly forming BWH with his fellow directors. Being incredibly empathetic and understanding he is the agent that he always wanted to have.
Nic Knowland
Nic came into in the film industry through still photography in the early 60’s. He soon became a much sought after documentary cinematographer working on many World In Action programmes for Granada though the highly respected outfit Alan King Associates.
He became a founding member of Tattooist International in 1969 and during the 70’s worked on programmes such a Horizon for the BBC as well as becoming John and Yoko’s steady cameraman making films like Imagine, Bed Peace.
In the mid 70’s he co-founded ICE to serve as an agent for Aaton who were introducing a new generation of Super 16 cameras that he had helped to develop.
There followed a period in which he became one of the’ Promo King DP’s ‘ of the UK shooting iconic promos like Imagine for John Lennon, Vienna for UltraVox and Rio for Duran Duran, all have which been voted as Best of the Century or Best Ever at various times .
He also has worked on many Dance/Physical Theatre films, Dead Dreams of Monochrome Men and Strange Fish for DV8 to name just a few.
He worked extensively with Director Tony Palmer through the 80’s and 90’s shooting many films based on classical composers such as Benjamin Britten, Stravinsky, Puccini , Walton etc and was Cinematographer on Testimony , a feature film based on the life of Shostakovich staring Ben Kingsley which opened the London Film Festival in 1985.
Nic has been DOP many features including Institute Benjamenta in B/W for the Quay Brothers which has become something of a cult film over the years, he also shoot the Piano Tuners Of Earthquakes on Digital for them.
Nic has worked on many TV Dramas over the years including Final Passage for Director Sir Peter Hall for which he won a BAFTA for his cinematography, Emmy Award winning US mini series, The Murder of Mary Phagan for Director Billy Hale and Separate but Equal with actor for Director George Stevens.
More recently Nic has been working on numerous Commercials, TV Drama’s and several award winning projects with Director Isabel Rocamora such as Horizon of Exile and Body of War. His work has taken him all over the world.
In 2012 Nic was nominated for Best Technical Achievement at the BIFA ‘s and was awarded Best Cinematography at the recent BIFICA’s in Buenos Aries for his cinematography on the multi award winning ‘Berberian Sound Studio’ Directed by Peter Strickland.
He became a founding member of Tattooist International in 1969 and during the 70’s worked on programmes such a Horizon for the BBC as well as becoming John and Yoko’s steady cameraman making films like Imagine, Bed Peace.
In the mid 70’s he co-founded ICE to serve as an agent for Aaton who were introducing a new generation of Super 16 cameras that he had helped to develop.
There followed a period in which he became one of the’ Promo King DP’s ‘ of the UK shooting iconic promos like Imagine for John Lennon, Vienna for UltraVox and Rio for Duran Duran, all have which been voted as Best of the Century or Best Ever at various times .
He also has worked on many Dance/Physical Theatre films, Dead Dreams of Monochrome Men and Strange Fish for DV8 to name just a few.
He worked extensively with Director Tony Palmer through the 80’s and 90’s shooting many films based on classical composers such as Benjamin Britten, Stravinsky, Puccini , Walton etc and was Cinematographer on Testimony , a feature film based on the life of Shostakovich staring Ben Kingsley which opened the London Film Festival in 1985.
Nic has been DOP many features including Institute Benjamenta in B/W for the Quay Brothers which has become something of a cult film over the years, he also shoot the Piano Tuners Of Earthquakes on Digital for them.
Nic has worked on many TV Dramas over the years including Final Passage for Director Sir Peter Hall for which he won a BAFTA for his cinematography, Emmy Award winning US mini series, The Murder of Mary Phagan for Director Billy Hale and Separate but Equal with actor for Director George Stevens.
More recently Nic has been working on numerous Commercials, TV Drama’s and several award winning projects with Director Isabel Rocamora such as Horizon of Exile and Body of War. His work has taken him all over the world.
In 2012 Nic was nominated for Best Technical Achievement at the BIFA ‘s and was awarded Best Cinematography at the recent BIFICA’s in Buenos Aries for his cinematography on the multi award winning ‘Berberian Sound Studio’ Directed by Peter Strickland.
Alison Newman
Alison has worked in television, theatre and film for 25 years.
She has extensive theatre experience acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Court, Soho Theatre, the Royal Exchange Manchester and Theatre Royal Stratford East. She has worked with acclaimed writers such as Moira Buffini, Anthony Neilson, David Farr and Shelagh Stephenson. Her television appearances include: Endeavour, By Any Means, Call The Midwife, Holby City, Casualty, Whitechapel, New Tricks, Silk, Bad Girls and
Touching Evil. She is probably best known for playing Hazel Bailey in Footballers’ Wives and D.I. Samantha Keeble in EastEnders. She co-created the TV series Harlots (Hulu/ITV/Monumental Pictures) with Moira Buffini. The critically acclaimed drama ran for three seasons and starred Lesley Manville, Samantha Morton, Jessica Brown-Findlay and Liv Tyler.
She has extensive theatre experience acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Court, Soho Theatre, the Royal Exchange Manchester and Theatre Royal Stratford East. She has worked with acclaimed writers such as Moira Buffini, Anthony Neilson, David Farr and Shelagh Stephenson. Her television appearances include: Endeavour, By Any Means, Call The Midwife, Holby City, Casualty, Whitechapel, New Tricks, Silk, Bad Girls and
Touching Evil. She is probably best known for playing Hazel Bailey in Footballers’ Wives and D.I. Samantha Keeble in EastEnders. She co-created the TV series Harlots (Hulu/ITV/Monumental Pictures) with Moira Buffini. The critically acclaimed drama ran for three seasons and starred Lesley Manville, Samantha Morton, Jessica Brown-Findlay and Liv Tyler.
Sheila David
Sheila David is a freelance book to screen agent who has been in residence at the Darley Anderson Agency for the last seven years. She read History at Edinburgh University and has a Law Diploma from BPP. She also represents screenwriters.
Folasade Oyeleye
Fola’s background and experience as an editor has been built up through the widest-possible range of productions. Episodic and one-off TV dramas, features, shorts and documentaries have all led her to a place where any and all challenges can be overcome and where she delights in her part of the storytelling
Sean Gasgoine
Has been a talent and literary agent for over 25 years, firstly at Talent Agency Lou Coulson Associates , where he was instrumental in nurturing and discovering some of Britain’s most recognisable acting Talent, including Andy Serkis, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Keeley Hawes, Minnie Driver, Lena Headey and Kelly Reilly , he then went on to establish a literary department at Lou Coulson’s, launching the careers of playwright Kwame Kwei Armah and film directors David Mackenzie and Paul Andrew Williams.
For the last 12 years he’s worked at United agents as a partner in the Film and TV department, representing an International roster of Directors and Writers.
For the last 12 years he’s worked at United agents as a partner in the Film and TV department, representing an International roster of Directors and Writers.
Kalaiyashni Puvanendran
Kalaiyashni is a Diversity & Inclusion Programme Delivery Partner at ITV. As part of the Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) team, she helps deliver ITV’s Diversity Acceleration Plan, driving change on-screen, off-screen, and across ITV. She also collaborates with others across the broadcasting industry on D&I initiatives through the Creative Diversity Network.
Previously, Kalaiyashni was a D&I Project Manager at global health charity Wellcome, where she co-created and co-led their anti-racism programme, and she was a D&I Assistant Consultant at King’s College London. She is also a trustee of Hera, an arts organisation that celebrates and shares the stories and music of marginalised artists.
Previously, Kalaiyashni was a D&I Project Manager at global health charity Wellcome, where she co-created and co-led their anti-racism programme, and she was a D&I Assistant Consultant at King’s College London. She is also a trustee of Hera, an arts organisation that celebrates and shares the stories and music of marginalised artists.
Matt Smith
Matt Smith is the Head of Distribution at Lionsgate U.K. Smith oversees the theatrical release of all of Lionsgate’s films, which include Out of The Furnace and Only God Forgives.
Carol Russell
Carol is British-Jamaican and trained at Jamaica School of Drama (now known as Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts). As a writer, Carol’s screenplay, House of Usher, was one of six short films made by Crucial Productions for the BBC. She was the principle scriptwriter for two series of Comin’ Atcha, starring pop group, Cleopatra for ITV. Carol has also worked with Red Productions and was commissioned to write a series based on House of Usher. Her monologue, Horns of a Dilemma, was broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. She was also one of the BAFTA nominated team of adapters of Jacqueline Wilson’s Story of Tracy Beaker. Carol was one of 15 writers chosen for the inaugural MEDIAXCHANGE ADVANCED TELEVISION DRAMA WRITING programme 2017/2018, and was one of 20 writers chosen from around Europe for the inaugural SERIES MANIA WRITERS CAMPUS 2018. She has work in development with three production companies, including GreenAcre Films where she’s working on two drama series, Dark Justice and What Happened at Number 4? Carol wrote one of the multi-award winning drama series, SOON GONE: A WINDRUSH CHRONICLE, celebrating the 70th anniversary of The Windrush broadcast on BBC4 in 2019. She was longlisted for Thousand Films/Sid Gentle Films Screenwriting competition. Carol is currently writing two episodes of the 9th Series of Stone for BBC Radio 4, and has been accepted on the Criterion New Writing Programme.
Philippa Collie Cousins
Philippa is the BAFTA Award winning director behind The Deadness of Dad, starring Rhys Ifans and is currently executive producing with Red Productions on a 10-part drama for a US Broadcaster.
As Head of Development at Fresh Pictures, Philippa made Bugsplat with Writer/Director Guy Jenkin starring Hugh Skinner and worked on Warsaw Spies with David Tennant At BBC Indie Commissioning she worked as Head of Production on Saturday night drama Robin Hood with Tiger Aspect and mid-week high-end drama, Spooks with Kudos and BAFTA nominated serial, Small Island with Alison Owen, starring Naomie Harris and Ruth Wilson.
Philippa has also been Head of Drama and Comedy Development at Hartswood West where she worked on the multi-award-winning Sherlock, whilst also seeking out and working with best of writing talent in the Nations and Regions.
Philippa won best European Director for her film Happy Now starring Jonny Rhys Myer and Paddy Considine.
As Head of Development at Fresh Pictures, Philippa made Bugsplat with Writer/Director Guy Jenkin starring Hugh Skinner and worked on Warsaw Spies with David Tennant At BBC Indie Commissioning she worked as Head of Production on Saturday night drama Robin Hood with Tiger Aspect and mid-week high-end drama, Spooks with Kudos and BAFTA nominated serial, Small Island with Alison Owen, starring Naomie Harris and Ruth Wilson.
Philippa has also been Head of Drama and Comedy Development at Hartswood West where she worked on the multi-award-winning Sherlock, whilst also seeking out and working with best of writing talent in the Nations and Regions.
Philippa won best European Director for her film Happy Now starring Jonny Rhys Myer and Paddy Considine.
Derek Suter
Derek is an honorary member of the British Society of Cinematographers. Working on films such as Superman III, Django & A statement of affairs.
Jason Tomkins
As Post Production Promotion & Development Manager for Gravity Media in the UK, Jason is responsible for developing all existing as well as growing the wide range of client relationships to whom Gravity Media can support across the post-production and entertainment markets.
Jason joined Gravity Media in September 2021 and works with Jamie Brewer and the team to ensure the highest level of client experience working with Gravity Media delivering projects across all departments.
Jason joins Gravity Media as a post-production expert with over 30 years of experience working in the industry - starting out as an assistant offline editor with tape u-matic suites right through to the present day.
Prior to joining Gravity Media, Jason’s previous roles included Managing Director and Director at Silverglade Post where he worked for nearly eight years and he also held the role of Operations Director for Clear Cut Pictures for just over 14 years. He led the post production team at Clear Cut Pictures to win Broadcasts “Best Post Production House”, and led the team at Silverglade to be awarded ITVs “Supplier Of The Year”.
As an experienced Production Consultant his skills across Media Production, Digital Media, Avid Technology Products, and Film are perfectly suited to his new role managing all areas of post production business development.
Despite his EMEA focus, Jason has also worked extensively with partners in the US and Canada. He will therefore be adding his skills and experience to Gravity Media’s Global Post Production offering.
Jason joined Gravity Media in September 2021 and works with Jamie Brewer and the team to ensure the highest level of client experience working with Gravity Media delivering projects across all departments.
Jason joins Gravity Media as a post-production expert with over 30 years of experience working in the industry - starting out as an assistant offline editor with tape u-matic suites right through to the present day.
Prior to joining Gravity Media, Jason’s previous roles included Managing Director and Director at Silverglade Post where he worked for nearly eight years and he also held the role of Operations Director for Clear Cut Pictures for just over 14 years. He led the post production team at Clear Cut Pictures to win Broadcasts “Best Post Production House”, and led the team at Silverglade to be awarded ITVs “Supplier Of The Year”.
As an experienced Production Consultant his skills across Media Production, Digital Media, Avid Technology Products, and Film are perfectly suited to his new role managing all areas of post production business development.
Despite his EMEA focus, Jason has also worked extensively with partners in the US and Canada. He will therefore be adding his skills and experience to Gravity Media’s Global Post Production offering.
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