BFI Film Academy Labs are online events for 16 – 25 year olds to gain industry insight and get professional advice and support to develop their own film programming and film making practices. Programmed by the Young Film Programmers’ Network (South East) they are delivered as practical masterclasses, workshops and networking sessions.
About the session
Anna Smith is a leading film critic and broadcaster in the UK. She is the host of the popular podcast Girls On Film, a fun feminist film show that shines a light on female filmmakers and film critics. Girls On Film was listed as the ‘Best Feminist Film Podcast’ by Stylist magazine and has attracted guests including Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, Amma Asante and Linda Hamilton. A contributor to Deadline Hollywood, Time Out, Metro and The Guardian, Anna appears regularly on Radio 4 and Sky TV and often stands in for Mark Kermode on the BBC News Channel Film Review. Anna is also the former President of the UK Critics’ Circle. She tweets from @annasmithjourno.
In this session, Anna will share her advice on what makes a great podcast and explore her journey into film journalism, including tips and insights into film reviewing and interviewing. Anna will be in conversation with Shelby Cooke, YFP podcaster and writer.
This session will be live-captioned, we will provide instructions on how to access the captions at the beginning of the event.
If you have any questions about the event please get in touch at info@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk.
Anna Smith
Host, Girls On Film Podcast
Anna Smith is a leading film critic and broadcaster in the UK. She is the host of the popular podcast Girls On Film, a fun feminist film show that shines a light on female filmmakers and film critics. Girls On Film was listed as the ‘Best Feminist Film Podcast’ by Stylist magazine and has attracted guests including Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, Amma Asante and Linda Hamilton. A contributor to Deadline Hollywood, Time Out, Metro and The Guardian, Anna appears regularly on Radio 4 and Sky TV and often stands in for Mark Kermode on the BBC News Channel Film Review. Anna is also the former President of the UK Critics’ Circle. She tweets from @annasmithjourno.
Shelby Cooke
Lead Programmer and Editor-in-Chief, Film East
Shelby Cooke is the lead programmer and Editor-in-Chief at Film East, the Norwich branch of the Young Film Programmers Network. Her work for the group has been recognised around the world and has been nominated for three British Film Society of the Year Awards. She is also a freelance culture and media writer, focusing on British cinema, society and the representation of national identity on screen. She was the editor of Film East's first film theory book, SCREEN DREAMS. Shelby has an MA in Film Studies from the University of East Anglia.