At the end of November, something truly magical happened at Create Studios. The room buzzed with excitement as filmmakers, creatives, and film lovers from Swindon gathered for what promised to be an unforgettable evening. Little did they know, it would become much more than that—it would be a night of inspiration, celebration, and connection.
The evening began as the legendary David Yates, the visionary director behind Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, and Tarzan, walked through our doors. But he wasn’t alone. Accompanying him was his wife, the ever-gracious and creative artist, Yvonne Walcott Yates. Together, their presence filled the room with warmth and an undeniable spark of inspiration.
The occasion? To honor three brilliant Swindon filmmakers—Louis Hickford, George Green, and Daniel Granville—winners of the Short Film Fund, a collaboration between David, Yvonne and Create Studios. This fund wasn’t just about recognition; it was about fostering local talent and reminding everyone that the most extraordinary stories can come from anywhere.
As the audience settled in, David took the stage, sharing stories from his remarkable career. He spoke of his early days, the hurdles he faced, and the lessons he learned along the way. He reminded everyone about bringing authenticity and passion to your work, as well as remembering that filmmaking is a collegiate and collaborative process where success is bringing a team across the finishing line together.
Then came a special treat: David screened one of his early short films, RANK, a rare and personal glimpse into the beginnings of a career that would go on to captivate audiences worldwide. Watching it felt like a privilege—a reminder that even the greatest filmmakers have passion projects in their past which shape their future direction.
And then to the 3 films the Short Film Fund had supported: Kevin at Work (Louis Hickford), Ghost Story (Daniel Granville)
and Heaven Spot (George Green); tales of comic misadventures, supernatural facets of grief, the emotional and transcendant. It was a moment of recognition and affirmation from a captivated audience. The following supportive Q&A led by David Yates articulated their hard work, creativity, and unique voices —a memory that will undoubtedly fuel their future endeavors.
As the night drew to a close, there was a palpable sense of something bigger. It wasn’t just about the awards or the presence of a famous filmmaker, or the networking between young film talent; it was about the belief that creativity thrives everywhere and that extraordinary things can emerge from even the most unexpected places. Swindon’s talent, passion, and determination shone out, and reminded us all of the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and transform.
Thank you, David and Yvonne, for reminding us that production ambitions are worth chasing and that every story—no matter where it starts—deserves to be told. And congratulations once again to Louis, George, and Daniel. Your journeys are just beginning, and we can’t wait to see where they take you.
Here’s to many more nights like this at Create Studios, where connections and creativity are nurtured and where inspiring stories are captured.
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