Young people in Gloucestershire have a unique opportunity this May half-term to experience filmmaking at St Mary’s Church in Frampton-on-Severn.
The course invites teenagers aged 12 to 18 to take part in hands-on filmmaking, culminating in the creation of their own short film that will be premiered in the church. They will learn practical skills in story development, filming and acting.
It is led by the Silver Screen Film Academy from Top and Tail Productions, and supported by the Sylvanus Lysons Trust.
Rebecca Peacock, producer at Silver Screen Studios, said: “I started the studio with my husband, Mike, to invest in local talent and to tell uplifting stories.
“Mike and I attend a local church in Manchester. He’s a film writer, and he had written a screenplay about a struggling café during the cost of living crisis. In the story, the café is transformed as the local community comes together through amateur filmmaking.
“While praying about it, Mike felt called to actually live out the story, not to just write it. It led us to offer free filmmaking training to our local community.
“We want to spread the joy of community filmmaking, and to invest in people who might not have had an opportunity to get into the field.”
Rebecca’s mother, who is a member of the council at St Mary’s Church, saw the work that Rebecca and Mike were doing, and suggested bringing the same community-driven filmmaking idea to Frampton-on-Severn.
Thanks to the support of the Sylvanus Lysons Trust, which funds Christian community initiatives in Gloucestershire, the church was able to host a subsidised filmmaking course last year. It welcomed teenagers from across the area, many of whom had never been inside the church before or had any experience with film production.
Rebecca said: “The response was incredible. None of the young people had made a film before, but over the weekend they produced three original short films, and they were so proud of what they’d created.
“They really drew inspiration from the church itself. They used it not just as a filming location, but as a source of ideas and atmosphere.”
The project is continuing again this year at St Mary’s Church from 27 to 30 May.
“Last year, only two of the participants had a personal faith, but the project naturally opened up space for conversation. A WhatsApp group formed among the teens after the course, where discussions about faith continued long after the week.
“Parents were also deeply positive in their feedback, noting how warm and welcoming the church had been, and how the experience helped their children grow in confidence and creativity.”
The project is returning to St Mary’s this May half-term, with two places still available for teenagers aged 12 to 18. The course is open to anyone, regardless of filmmaking experience or church background.
Rebecca said: “It’s not just about making a film. It’s about giving young people a voice, encouraging creativity, and offering a safe, supportive space to explore ideas, including faith. They get to see their stories come to life and realise that their ideas are worth sharing.”
Caroline Lumsden, PCC member at St Mary’s Church, said: “All the young people benefitted enormously by the film training last year and hugely grew in self-esteem and confidence. The project surpassed expectations in maintaining ongoing friendships between the teens, and also in having a well-attended film premiere where many people enjoyed their short films and celebrated their achievements. We’re so glad to have the support of Sylvanus Lysons Trust once again to enable this all to happen.”
→ For more information or to apply for a place, contact Caroline on ku.oc1768985416.ooha1768985416y@ned1768985416smule1768985416nilor1768985416ac1768985416 or 07971 959205. The last subsidised places are £195 and 1 bursary place is still available.
→ Watch ‘Forget-Me-Not’, one of the films produced on the course last year, here.
→ Watch ‘Silver Screen Dreams Cafe’ here.
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