As we prepare for another legendary Create Christmas party from our wonderful home in
Swindon’s Carriage Works it’s time to reflect and say a big thank you to everyone who has
made this year an extraordinary one of Production, Training and Inclusion– which is what of course it is all about here at Create Studios!
So with the risk of missing someone or something out…here goes!
We trained 48 emerging production professionals in skills gaps through our BFI Places
project: @Create Traction – they are all on paid work placements now and already getting job offers!!
We are also working towards a strategy to grow the Digital Production landscape of
Swindon/Wilts/Glos and have kickstarted that with the launch of ScreenSwindon
spearheaded by the powerhouse that is my Co-Director, Marilyn Fitzgerald.
Civic pride blossomed when we captured 50 unique interviews with the South Asian
community across the South West – you can see the resulting archive and a beautiful 30
minute documentary representing hidden voices and lived experience here.
Look out for the short drama the interviews inspired and the launch of the linked Education resource in the New Year.
Our Production Team showed their incredible versatility as ever with exciting collaborations with a wide range of partners from Williams Formula 1, through to charities like Threshold Housing and Prospect Hospice. We continued to grow our product content track record with Tom Faulkner’s beautiful bespoke wooden sculptures.
Check out the 2025 highlights in 1 breathtaking minute here.
Sofa Screenings offered 95 screening events from our base as well as with partners including our first outdoor screenings at Lydiard’s beautiful walled garden. An audience of over 4000 have been treated to the best of indie cinema here in Swindon over the year.
Watch this space for January’s offer which will include our first National Theatre productions –London productions to be enjoyed from the Sofas in Swindon!
The new Create space at the iconic Carriage Works in the heart of Swindon’s Heritage Action Zone continues to attract cultural partners and private requests for events, seminars, parties and screenings – and it’s one of my personal joys that an average day at Create can involve production on location, young people being mentored on a range of digital projects, liaison with community partners around the region and rounding off with a great indie cinema offer in the evening!
Thanks for an amazing year and see you in the Studios to make 2026 another incredible
creative adventure!
Shahina Johnson