With one week to go until the Into Film Awards, three South East winners are already set to accept awards.
A filmmaker from Brighton and two film facilitators from Hastings have been recognised for their outstanding contributions.
Rosie Merat-Brandwood, 17, from Varndean College, Brighton, is one of three recipients of the ‘Ones to Watch’ award.
Her short film The Freedom of the Sea, depicting her family's emigration story following the Iranian revolution in the 1970s, has been internationally recognised.
The film won Best Short Film at the Media Magazine Awards, Best Short Film at the YOUKI International Youth Media Awards and Best Documentary at the 2025 Into Film Awards.
Rosie has since continued to make waves with her subsequent work, including Peaches, which was selected at multiple festivals, marking her as an emerging filmmaker of note.
Rosie's ambition is to continue her development as a filmmaker beyond education, building a portfolio that engages with real-world issues and meaningful storytelling.
Meanwhile, Sophie Barnard and Will Davies from The Bright Foundation in Hastings have been recognised as one of three ‘Filmmaking Champions’.
This award celebrates those who use film to support and develop young people.
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The Bright Foundation, an arts education charity, was founded by Academy and BAFTA Award-winning costume designer, John Bright.
Will is the Film Programme Learning Leader and Sophie is the Foundation's Producer.
They work with disadvantaged young people, including those in receipt of free school meals, neurodiverse learners and pupils with special educational needs.
Operating from the Foundation's Benbow Arts Space, a youth arts centre dedicated to filmmaking, Will and Sophie have engaged over 500 young people.
The Into Film Awards, sponsored by the UK film industry, celebrates young people’s creativity in film.
This year’s awards received hundreds of entries from across the UK, with stories ranging from light-hearted comedies to thought-provoking films and documentaries.
The ceremony has previously been attended by industry giants including Hugh Grant, Daniel Craig and Eddie Redmayne.
Into Film is supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding.
The winners will be officially presented with their awards at the ceremony.
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