The biennial GDST Film festival ran from 12-14th February, with an aim to inspire girls to get creative, learn new skills and explore the varied career opportunities in the film industry.

We were so grateful to so many people who gave up their time and shared their expertise and experiences with us. We enjoyed workshops from award-winning hair and make-up academy Delamar; the UK’s largest film school (and Ealing locals) Metfilm; film trailer and creative content agency Silk Factory; and set and prop designers Palmbrokers, who also dressed our Atrium with various sets from some of the films they have worked on, including Jurassic World and Game of Thrones. It’s not every day you have a dinosaur in school and everyone has been utterly amazed!

Wednesday evening saw the screening of the finalists in the GDST-wide film making competition, kindly hosted by Everyman Cinema in Hampstead (or should that be ‘Everywoman’?) – it was such a treat to watch the short films on the big screen and we were delighted to welcome judges Karen Krizanovich and Liz Tucker to the event, as well as the friends, families and teachers of all the finalists. You can find the winners @nhehs twitter.

On Thursday afternoon we hosted a ‘Women in Film’ panel event, expertly compered by Mel Giedroyc to a sell-out audience.

Our panelists, Casting Director Lucy Bevan, Actor Freya Allan, Director of White Lotus Picture Company Savyna Darby, Director Coky Giedroyc and Pathé’s Deputy Managing Director Jenny Borgars inspired us all by sharing their experiences and giving girls some top tips, including ‘prep, prep, prep’, ‘make yourself indispensable – and learn how to make the best cup of tea in the business’ and ‘be five times better prepared than a man’.

As part of the Film festival, the Year 12 Film team created the campaign ‘#SETtheExample’ -to show that every girl or woman can make a difference – by supporting films that represent them, by creating them and by being more involved in the industry.

Postcards were handed out encouraging people to send words of encouragement to those in the film industry actively championing women in film – more are available in the main reception!

A huge vote of thanks goes to Assistant Head Mr Cheney, the co-coordinator the festival, who, in his initial enquiry stage, listened to the entire Harry Potter score several times over, whilst on hold to ask if we could borrow any props. (the answer? it was a very short conversation- no! – and very understandably so!)