Film Studies
If you’re passionate about cinema and eager to dive deeper into the magic of filmmaking, this course is your perfect opportunity! Whether you’re looking to expand your understanding of film history, appreciate cinema from all corners of the globe, or gain hands-on filmmaking skills, this course will ignite your creative spirit. You’ll explore iconic films from a range of eras and cultures—from the golden age of Hollywood in the 1950s, to the revolutionary waves of modern American filmmaking, to the bold voices of British cinema, and the diverse world of non-English language films from Europe and beyond.
You’ll also delve into an exciting array of film forms, from the pioneering 1920s silent films, to thought-provoking documentaries, inventive short films, and boundary-pushing experimental cinema. You’ll also have the chance to bring your own creative vision to life with a practical coursework element that makes up 30% of the course. This hands-on project will allow you to plan, shoot, and create your very own short film, taking your passion for cinema to the next level.
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of creativity, storytelling, and technical skill that will empower you to see and make films like never before!
Course Essentials
Courses Available
A Level
How The Course is Assessed
70% exam, 30% coursework
Other Information
There are guest speakers leading sessions on scriptwriting and Study Days at Depot Cinema in Lewes where film experts guide you through some of the set films. Students are also eligible to apply to become Young Programmers at Depot where they can learn about cinema programming and film marketing.
Enquiries To
David Allan: daa@varndean.ac.uk
Enrichments
Depot Cinema
We are thrilled to continue our exciting partnership with the unique and vibrant Depot Cinema in Lewes. This collaboration provides our Film Studies students with incredible opportunities through their participation in Kino Collective, a dynamic group of young film programmers led by Varndean’s very own Anthony Gates, who also works as Education Manager at Depot.
As part of the Kino Collective, students take on the role of film curators—selecting films for screening, creating original marketing materials, planning engaging film-related events, and even leading Q&As with industry professionals. But the excitement doesn’t stop there—students also have the chance to screen their own films at the cinema!
Anthony Gates explains the group’s mission: “Our goal is to share our love of film and inspire more young people to engage with cinema. For us, cinema is so much more than just watching a film—it’s about creating connections, conversations, and experiences.”
Adding to this incredible opportunity, Carmen Slijpen, Depot’s Founder, Creative Director, and Programmer, regularly visits Varndean College to speak to our students about her remarkable career in film exhibition. Her insights and passion for the industry are invaluable, giving students a firsthand look at the world of cinema from the perspective of a leading professional.
Short Film Analysis Club
In this discussion group, led by the Film Studies’ Programme Leader David Allan, you can explore the techniques used to tell stories concisely and creatively. Films range from award-winning animations to low-budget dramas, student films to science fiction. The enrichment is an excellent add-on for students of Film Studies or Film Production and will enable them to deepen their understanding of this film form which is so often the way that careers in the film industry are launched.
Film Club
A weekly student enrichment session featuring screenings of diverse films followed by engaging discussions. Each session showcases a different film from a wide range of cultures, genres, and directors, encouraging students to explore different viewpoints. After the screening, a facilitated discussion allows students to reflect on themes, characters, and cultural contexts, fostering critical thinking and open dialogue. The programme aims to broaden students’ understanding of the world, promote inclusivity, and create a community of learners who appreciate diverse storytelling. It is a popular, inclusive enrichment that attracts a wide range of participants each week.
Film Careers
Take your passion for film to the next level with our Film Careers Enrichment programme. Each week, you’ll have the chance to join exclusive Q&A sessions with industry professionals – from directors and producers to editors and cinematographers. This enrichment is the place to get insider advice, hear real-world stories, and ask your burning questions about breaking into the film industry. It’s the perfect way to explore career paths, build connections, and get inspired for your future!
Staff Profiles
David Allan
David Allan teaches UK Cinema, Contemporary American Cinema, Documentary, Silent Cinema and Experimental film. David has taught Film Studies for over twenty years and is a hugely experienced and dedicated practitioner with a passion for all areas of the subject.
Lisa Wardle-Sharp
Lisa Wardle-Sharp teaches Classical Hollywood, New Hollywood and Global Cinema. She has been teaching film for over twenty years, is a member of the Senior Film Studies Team at the Eduqas exam board and is the Consultant Editor and Contributing author for the current Eduqas Film Studies textbook.
Zoe Evans
Zoe Evans teaches UK Cinema and Contemporary American Cinema. She has been teaching for 25 years with the last 20 focusing on Media and Film. She has industry connections with Brighton University and the Cine City Film Festival and has Film Production experience on an award winning short film, ‘Mr Lamb’, screened at festivals in the UK and around the world.
Em Morgan
Em Morgan is the Film and Media Section’s full time Technician/Instructor. They bring over seven years of dynamic experience in the media and film industry, blending their expertise as a freelance cinematographer, production professional, and skilled technician. Their journey began in 2017 with event videography and corporate projects, expanding to encompass an array of roles on sets for documentaries, short films, music videos, and even a recent stint on a Netflix production. In 2022, Em co-founded ‘Pride Productions’, a company dedicated to empowering young talent by introducing them to large-scale event videography, serving as a launchpad for aspiring freelancers eager to break into the industry.
Alumni Success
Phoebe Young
Ex Varndean College student, Phoebe Young, was shortlisted for the prestigious Into Film Awards this year with her powerful short film, ‘Headphones’. Among 21 nominees across seven filmmaking categories, the Into Film Awards recognises and celebrates exceptional talent in filmmaking across the UK. Phoebe’s film competed in the Time for Action category which challenges young filmmakers to raise awareness of important issues.
Headphones is a poignant short film that explores an immersive journey of a young autistic girl navigating a seemingly ordinary day. Phoebe’s lived experience infuses every frame with emotion, her own experiences woven seamlessly into the narrative.
J Taylor Jones
Since leaving Varndean College in 2021, J Taylor Jones has been studying Film Production at the Bournemouth Film School (part of Arts University Bournemouth). They have directed three short films, including Dead Body, a horror about gender dysphoria, which won the New Voices Award at the 2024 edition of the Cinecity Brighton Film Festival. J’s participation in Film Studies at college, alongside their role in the Kino Collective young programers group at the Lewes Depot cinema, gave them the necessary space to critically explore the medium of film and their relationship to cinema as a spectator, before applying learned film theory into film practice and production. J is currently in development for their fourth short film and programmes with the screening collective Cinelogue, also based at Lewes Depot.
Maxwell Silver
Maxwell Silver‘s academic and creative journey is truly impressive. In 2020 he achieved exceptional results in his A-Levels, a perfect set of A* grades, and in Film Studies his interest in animation, especially stop-motion, emerged during the coursework project, where he not only honed his technical skills but also explored his artistic expression.
Maxwell’s passion for filmmaking continued to grow at the University of Sussex, where he earned a First-Class degree in Filmmaking. His final project, Our Home at the Marble Run, demonstrates a blend of whimsical storytelling and technical mastery, combining his love for animation and his grasp of film narrative. This film sets the stage for what is sure to be a successful career in the animation industry. Maybe even following in the footsteps of Will Becher, another Varndean College Film Studies Alumni, who was Oscar nominated for his film ‘A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon.’
