Last weekend, the team at John Gore Studios was proud to support the 2026 edition of the Watersprite Film Festival, the world’s largest international student film festival, held in Cambridge and online from 6 – 8 March.
Founded by Cambridge students 17 years ago and chaired by Hilary Bevan Jones since its inception, Watersprite has grown into a truly global platform for emerging filmmakers, connecting young talent with leading figures from across the screen industries. This year’s festival welcomed an extraordinary 2,243 submissions from 108 countries, showcasing the scale of talent and creativity shaping the future of film and television.
At John Gore Studios, we believe the future of storytelling depends on investing in the next generation of filmmakers. As part of our partnership with the festival, we were delighted to sponsor the Film of the Year Award, celebrating outstanding achievement in student filmmaking on an international stage. Congratulations to Sofia Leão for her winning short film Filme-Copacabana.
Across the festival weekend, Watersprite hosted an impressive programme of screenings, conversations and industry panels, bringing together established professionals and emerging creatives to explore the opportunities and challenges facing the next generation. Among the highlights were two panels featuring voices from John Gore Studios and our partners across the industry.
In the panel Facing the Future of the Screen Industries, Hilary Strong, CEO of John Gore Studios, joined Ade Rawcliffe, Chief People & Inclusion Officer at ITV, and Sam Lavender, Executive Producer at Java Road Pictures, for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolving landscape of film and television, facilitated by Anna Keeley, Producer at Escape Plan Productions. The discussion explored the structural and creative shifts reshaping the industry – from changing production models and new technologies to the importance of inclusion and access. For the students and emerging filmmakers in attendance, the session offered practical insight into how the industry is adapting and where opportunities for new voices are emerging.
In the panel Resurrecting Horror: Restoration with Hammer Films and Silver Salt Restoration, Mark Stanborough from Hammer Films and Anthony Badger from Silver Salt Restoration discussed the complex and meticulous process of restoring classic horror titles. The conversation highlighted how restoration allows iconic films to reach new audiences while preserving the craft and legacy behind them. The session offered a fascinating look behind the scenes of archival work and a reminder that the future of the industry is deeply connected to preserving its past.
The festival’s selected short films and recorded panel events remain available to watch online until 15 March 2026. Explore the films and watch the panels here: https://watersprite.org.uk/online-pass
