NYFA Riseup Group 3

Aim

The RiseUp Programme is where our SetReady Graduates have the opportunity to independently write, produce and shoot their own short film.

This is a chance for our Members to prove themselves and rise to the challenge of independently creating their own film which will be screened across the UK at ODEON Cinemas.

Successful graduates will establish themselves as a member with the potential to be an Emerging Talent in the industry.

This project is in early pre-production, with more details to follow and filming will take place in October.

There is an amazing cast attached to the project: 

David Ajayi:

David is a South London-based actor that has appeared in 2 independent feature films, short films, commercials and web series. His journey into entertainment began on stage and has transitioned to a pursuit of a career in film and TV.  He believes deeply in the power of storytelling to bring people together and has been writing short stories from a very young age, originally trying to impress his parents and grandpa. As a child, he was amazed by TV and Film, and would spend hours glued to the screen. He decided early on that telling stories through performance was the world he wanted to be a part of. His desire is to impact people with great art, in the same way so many legends before have impacted his.

Djamel Turner 

Djamel is an actor, director, writer from Kent. Excelling from his youth, being awarded both a scholarship for Stagecoach drama school and a Gold LAMDA certification at the age of 12, Djamel has only progressed further since. Working with numerous small production companies in short films both narrative and educational, Djamel continues to grow out his brand with one official short produced, written, directed by him titled 'TAKE CARE' in which he also starred released in early 2020, to positive reviews and a selection in the small axe festival. 

Djamel often sites music as the major influence on his work. He believes that evoking a strong emotional response that encourages more conversations regarding unspoken topics is the highest purpose of art. Djamel hopes to progress this ideal through both his writing and acting talents in the future, hoping to create a better understanding of mental health for his generation.

Grace Englert 

Grace Englert starred in supporting roles for 2 feature films with cinematic realises in the middle of the strange year that was 2020. Beginning in January with the international series IP Man, before all the lockdowns, and then again for a British indie film in October right in the middle of the various lockdowns. The latter of which has had various deals with HBO and l will soon be having a national cinematic release across the US. Grace has just finished shooting a short film in the leading role with a sundance, Raindance, and bifa winning producing team.

Luke Slater 

Most of Luke's experience with Film has been through the various acting classes he attended in and around Manchester, and putting on showcases with the monologue work he devised in sessions. Most notably a production of intertwining monologues called 'The Love Inn' which he performed at the Palace Theatre, as well as had privately filmed. 

Since a young age, he has had a great passion for film and television which has only grown as he got older. He's interested in many aspects of film, whether it be understanding a directors vision, studying and creating soundtracks, or writing in various forms.  Acting has always stood out as his true passion. 

Mina Cuffwright

Mina has always had a passion for film and cinema, particularly independent film, as it inspires her to be in projects which push the boundaries of the industry.

She has worked on many short films and in 2019 she was selected for the NYFA Emerging Brits programme and starred in Rottweiler directed by Jonny Powell, she is delighted now to be working with Jonny again on this new film.

Mina was born and raised in Cornwall, surrounded by the sea. She moved to London three years ago to start her training at drama school. As she is now graduating this year, she is eager to step into our ever-evolving industry.

Tilly O'Shea

Tilly O’Shea is a 21 year old actress, based in Bath. Her training includes screen acting courses with ‘The Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin’, and ‘MN Talent Agency’. She has starred as the lead in various short films, including, ‘Chloe vs Love’ which was screened at ‘Irregular Folks Festival’, and ‘The Beautiful Minimal’ premiering at ‘The Ultimate Picture Palace, Oxford.’

It is important to her that film poses as a source of accessibility and transparency about lesser discussed realities, forming important conversations and representation of new stories within film. This is also reflected outside of her acting, through her freelance work as a filmmaker and writer, which includes producing a short film with Bristol-based activists for WeTheCurious and holistic drama workshops with Theatre Royal Bath’s young company, as she believes that it’s important to adapt practices within the industry to be more nurturing and accommodating to a wide range of people, regardless of individual circumstance or deemed barriers to working within film. She is also currently working on an exhibition of spoken word and film to be shown in Bristol this May, surrounding connectivity throughout people and time, in hopes that it can bring comfort and understanding to others.

This project successfully funded on 26th June 2021