ALICE GUY Blaché

Named in honour of Alice Guy-Blaché, one of the pioneering figures of early cinema, the Alice Guy-Blaché Awards celebrate the innovative and creative spirit of student filmmakers. As the first female director and a trailblazer who used film to express and entertain audiences, Alice Guy-Blaché made a significant impact to the film industry yet was sadly forgotten by the very industry she helped to create. Her legacy now inspires students to tell meaningful, impactful stories through film.

At the Alice Guy-Blaché Awards, we recognise and elevate student filmmakers who are committed to non-violence and positive storytelling. Our goal is to empower student filmmakers to explore narrative themes that foster a positive impact on society, encouraging a responsible approach to filmmaking.

THE AWARDS

Each year, we will celebrate students and their films at a bespoke screening event, where industry professionals will judge and award student filmmakers in several categories. These awards will not only recognise the best overall film but also highlight outstanding achievements in areas such as direction, screenplay, cinematography, editing, and production design. Special attention will be given to films that exemplify strong narrative craftsmanship, creative innovation, and alignment with the awards’ ethos of non-violence and positive storytelling.

The awards will be selected from films submitted to our short film streaming platform, with finalists being showcased at the screening event, scheduled for March or April 2025. Winners will receive both recognition from the industry and potential opportunities for mentorship, internships, and further development of their filmmaking careers. The Alice Guy-Blaché Awards seek to provide not just accolades but also tangible support to the next generation of filmmakers who are committed to using their craft for social impact.

Alice Guy Blaché Pilot Awards 2024 in collaboration with Cardinal Newman College and UCLan.

The Alice Guy Blaché inaugural winner 2024 Maddy Laidlow for her compelling film titled ‘Strings’ which highlights domestic abuse.