As part of our new Film Generator programme with North East Screen we asked writers to submit ideas for micro-budget shorts, to be shaped into winning scripts with our team. We selected four projects for development which were then matched with emerging directors who pitched to work with the scripts. 

The selected four directors will have group sessions with industry guests and one-to-one mentoring with Film Hub North Talent Executives. Sessions and mentoring will cover subjects such as stylistic approach, the director's role and stages of production. This will be followed by a practical event where we’ll look to shoot the scripts with a small crew to get hands-on experience of directing. 

Meet our directors below!

Ezra is a bold and boundary pushing director, visual artist and cultural producer based in Manchester, UK. Ezra is known for creating visceral, genre-defying work exploring the intersections of marginalisation, identity, and storytelling in contemporary media. They adopt an innovative, inclusive and experimental practice, crafting new narratives which blur the lines between popular culture and fine art. Their work has been celebrated through collaborations and talent development with leading institutions such as HOME Theatre, BFI, Royal Exchange, Leeds Playhouse and more. In 2022, Ezra was a finalist for Young Creative of the Year at the Manchester Culture Awards.

Jennifer is an emerging director with a passion for storytelling that champions the underdogs. From a young age, Jennifer was captivated by art and film, even banging on the TV as a toddler because she wanted to physically be in the film. Her distinctive cinematic flair infuses her work with a unique perspective, exploring the depths of human experiences and redefining traditional storytelling boundaries. Jennifer's films are a testament to her love for exploring the complexities of the human experience, taking viewers on unforgettable journeys through the lives of those often overlooked and capturing this essence.

Emmy is a working-class new writer/director based in Manchester, originally from Blackpool. She wrote, directed and edited her first zero budget micro short Pink Noise late last year - which was shown at HOME FilmedUp night, her second micro short Hello My Love was shown at Manchester's Origins film night. Emmy was also one of 10 writer/directors to take part in HOME's inaugural Film Lab earlier this year. She is also an actor and musician, composing for TV and performing live on BBC Radio 2 and Glastonbury, amongst others. 

John is a filmmaker from Teesside working across corporate, commercial and arts/heritage content. He’s recently directed music videos for alt-noise band Benefits, LA based singer/songwriter Shannon Lay and shot, directed and edited Haul Away, a 30-minute community musical film for North East Opera. Alongside this he was part of the camera team on BBC's The Cleaner and Smoggie Queens. As an editor, he has worked on numerous commercial projects and music videos as well as Farmed Out (the 2022 Scratch Me project), Pit Yackers (sizzle reel for Fulwell73) and the upcoming Film Hub North supported short film Giants. Forever the yarn spinner, John's main drive is to tell stories, from the sublime to the ridiculous.