Our Film of the Month judges for May 2017 were Angeli Macfarlane (right) and Femi Kolade (left). Macfarlane is an experienced Development Producer and the founder of Script Cube who has worked with BBC, National Geographic Films, Creative England, BFI and more. Kolade is a filmmaker and educator. He has worked all over the film and broadcast industry including BFI, Film London, BBC Films and many more. Read more about Macfarlane’s and Kolade’s work and career here.

Both judges share their insightful thoughts on the top three films from May’s competition below.

Reshoots are failure. Worse they are waste. A good director doesn’t need reshoots, a good director just gets it right. On time and on budget. Right?

For the 10th anniversary of Shooting People’s ‘Film of the Month’ – during which SP partnered with over 100 industry judges including Danny Boyle, Andrea Arnold and Stephen Woolley – the competition has now evolved into SHORT CUTS.

LAFF has just shut the curtains on this summer’s festival. Hosted by Film Independent, the LA Film Festival has been showcasing independent features and shorts since 1995. This year, alongside the curated shorts was “Episodes: Indie Series From The Web,” which displayed some original and diverse works from up and coming independent filmmakers. These episodes were so captivating not only because of their entertaining content, but also because of the unique voices of each filmmaker. Here are just a few that are worth taking a look at.

Much of Sheffield Doc/Fest’s objectives this year focused around increasing inclusiveness – attracting new audiences and ensuring that existing ones felt better represented. An announced intent towards “unlocking talent from widest geographical, social and BAME backgrounds” was delivered well in gender representation in the film programme, as “51% of the documentary programme credited a female primary producer and 46% had a female director”. From that number, three feature films and a host of shorter works directed by women that we saw whilst there. Films that may have fallen under the radar, but we thought were worth noting upon.

The problem with filmmaking, the problem with Kickstarter, hell, let’s face it, the problem with democracy, is that almost everyone is allowed to take part whether they’re any good or not.

April’s round-up of the best Action/Thriller pitches around.

To read the rest of these pitches, and to contact any of the writers, please email Annabelle.

We’re always on the lookout for the best opportunities available to new and emerging filmmakers on SP, and one of the most promising and exciting we’ve recently come across is Lexus Short Films.

Amongst a flood of festivals, the East End Film Festival – created in partnership with Tower Hamlets Council, but now acting independent of it – always feels a little different. Detailing their aims, the festival states their goals are: “using non-cinema venues, engaging with diverse audiences, supporting emerging filmmakers, breaking boundaries with cross-arts & music events, premiering vital new films.” Few festivals can describe their objectives as lucidly as that. Ensuring these aims are acted upon, their 2017 edition comes with two new additions. Alongside the film and event programmes, the festival is also partnering with the University of East London to provide year round education opportunities, but the most exciting new development for this year, however, is the announcement of the EEFF Transit Award, a £10,000 development award for a second time directors, to be granted in time for EEFF 2018. In the meantime however, the focus is on the films already around, with the festival showcasing the best of independent filmmaking both local and international. We picked five events from their packed, five weekend long programme.

With just under a month until the UK’s premiere documentary film festival, Sheffield Doc/Fest, rolls around, we’ve surveyed this year’s offering.