John Currie - Festival Director

In 2014 John was inspired to create the Beeston Film Festival. He wanted to establish another dynamic cultural event in the heart of Beeston. Since its inception the festival has developed, expanded and evolved, always seeking to celebrate film and celebrate filmmakers. John has established a passionate local programming team and an international jury comprising of film industry professionals from across the world. With each year the festival’s reputation has grown resulting in place in the Top 100 Best Review Film Festivals on FilmFreeway, and the recent British Independent Film Association (BIFA) accreditation.

John is has recently been placed on the jury for the Midland Movies Awards and the Curtas Festival do Imaxinario.

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Contact: John.Currie@beestonfilm.com

Simon Pryce - Commercial Director

Simon has been involved with Beeston Film Festival since 2015, as a result of interests and experience in film and broadcast media. His own company Skylight Media has supported the festival for several years and has seen it grow to become a part of Beeston's cultural landscape. Part of the review team since 2015, he plays an active role in supporting the festival's strategic development, communications and technology leadership. Simon is also a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

"My experience here is built from reviewing the international film submissions to playing an active role in supporting strategic development, communications and technology leadership. International film makers get a voice here, many visit us too and I'm extremely proud of what we've achieved as a coordinated team over the last 8 years."

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Stuart Baird - Communications & Marketing Lead

Stuart has worked in communications for 26 years including stints at No 10 Downing Street and working with the Royal Family. His campaigns include Think! Kill Your Speed and Change4Life. He promoted the visit of Kate Beckinsale to Beeston which attracted global attention.

Stuart is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

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Sam Kurd – Communications Lead

Sam Kurd is an emerging screenwriter and lover of all things horror, sci-fi and fantasy. Based near Glasgow, his most recent project is as a writer on the Grindhouse anthology film Calling Nurse Meow, and a short version of his first feature script Hen Party Massacre is currently in development. Sam is the Beeston Film Festival Communication Lead as well as a member of the Selection Team..

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Contact: Sam.Kurd@beestonfilm.com

Francesca Levi – Social Media Lead

Francesca Levi is a video artist who often incorporates mixed digital mediums in their work. They have recently have started experimenting with installation art, and in 2021, they premiered Yolk and Aliens, which was a multidisciplinary intergenerational piece exploring birth, mother daughter relationships and the aging process.This was a collaboration with UK actress Jane Horrocks, composer Molly Vivian, and set designer Camilla Clarke for the Brighton Festival. Their first feature film was part of Live Cinema’s Unfilmables and was titled The Colour Of Chips- a reimagined and lost version of Parajanov’s The Colour Of Pomegranates, if it was set in Blackpool, a northern seaside town in England. Additionally in 2022 Francesca created an instillation in Klaipėdos Kultūrų Komunikacijų Centreas in Lithuania titled Songs to The Soul that incorporated peoples lost memories and music used in key life rituals. Francesca also runs a short film festival called Everyday Arias which focuses on opera and folk music, celebrating the magic of song in every aspect of life. Francesca brings her potent visual skills to enhance the festival's social media output.

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Contact: Francesca.Levi@beestonfilm.com

Jen Cale - Festival Manager

Jen Cale enjoys the craft of scriptwriting, cinematography, and producing. She has worked on various student films such as "Downer", "The Yankee", "The Skull and the Arm", and “Red Black Green”. She has recently become a first-time director with her student short and continues to expand her projects in filmmaking.

Naphat “Naps” Boonyaprapa - Technical Manager

Naps is a cinema lover, film director and projectionist. He wants to work in the film industry and has been working with the festival since it’s move to the cinema, and wants to grow the festival into an open, award-winning space for creatives to celebrate the art of film. Naps will ensure all films will be projected to the highest standard and act as a liaison with cinema venues.