Awards jury announced for 2022 BFI Future Film Festival

The jury has been announced for the programme of 50 short films that have been selected to screen in the 15th edition of the BFI Future Film Festival. This year will be a hybrid format, with events taking place online and at BFI Southbank from 17 to 20 February 2022. The films will be available to watch for free on BFI Player from 17 February to 3 March (UK only), as well as screening at BFI Southbank during the festival. 

Newly confirmed speakers for the festival including actor and director Romola Garai (Amulet), actor and director Rebecca Hall (Passing), actor Callum Scott Howells (It’s a Sin) and producer Rebecca O’Brien (I, Daniel Blake, Sorry We Missed You) will join other key industry speakers such as Craig Roberts (Submarine, The Phantom of the Open) and producers Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor (Blue Story, Boxing Day) and Ameenah Allen (Rocks, Ali & Ava).

The films in this year’s festival are also eligible for the BFI Future Film Festival Awards, the nominees for which were revealed last week. Three of the 10 awards, including Best Film and Best Director, and Best New Talent (which looks for the filmmaker with the most promise and raw talent), will be judged by a festival jury chaired by Mark Herbert, producer and joint CEO of Sheffield-based Warp Films, known for its multi award-winning films and television, including Dead Man’s Shoes, Four Lions and This Is England ’86, ’88 and ’90. Mark will be joined by fellow jury members actor Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls), filmmaker and actor Aml Ameen (Boxing Day, Yardie), director Runyararo Mapfumo (Sex Education) and documentary filmmaker Kyla Harris (It’s Personal).

“I’m honoured to be this year’s jury chair and look forward to deliberating with my fellow jurors on some exciting and original work from some truly gifted young filmmakers,” said Herbert.

We’re also delighted to announce that Netflix return as the 2022 festival’s main sponsor and year-round sponsor of BFI festivals. They are supporting the BFI Future Film Festival awards and presenting the Best Documentary award, which includes a year of mentoring with Netflix’s Jonny Taylor, director, documentary film – EMEA. The festival would not be possible without the continued support of The Reuben Foundation, who are the lead supporter of the BFI’s year-round education programmes, including monthly BFI Film Academy Labs and the BFI Future Film Festival. 

Award-nominees across 10 categories will be in the running for prize money totalling more than £10,000 and further mentorships from industry leaders – the winners will be revealed at the BFI Future Film Festival 2022 awards ceremony supported by Netflix, which will take place virtually and in person on 20 February. All 10 BFI Future Film Festival 2022 award winners will also receive 12-month mentoring support from BFI Film Academy. 

This year’s festival, which is aimed at aspiring filmmakers aged 16 to 25, is completely free of charge for those attending online, enabling young people from every corner of the UK, and across the world, to benefit from masterclasses and talks from the best in the business. Festival passes for BFI Southbank are available from £5 (Thursday only) to £15 (Friday to Sunday) per day.