PQA - Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts Film Festivals are a celebration of the work created in our Main Academy Film & Television module. The Film Festivals give our students the chance to see their films on the big screen, along with their families, and walk the red carpet in true movie-star fashion!
Every year these events are truly special milestone that bring together young filmmakers from across the UK to showcase their amazing short films.
Nick Pilton, our Head of Film & Television at PQA, adds: “There’s a wonderful variety of original short films being screened today, all made with love and creativity at PQA academies across the nation. Congratulations to all the young filmmakers involved. We hope that you enjoy watching your creations on the big screen.
Our continued admiration goes out to the network of film and television teachers, assistants and of course, our incredible academy Principals who make this happen in collaboration with PQA’s amazing students. We thank you for the hard work and commitment that make these events possible.”
A Red Group student at the Southern Film Festival said, "The Experience has been Fantastic! I would genuinely do it again”
The Southern Regional Film Festival took place At Cineworld O2 Greenwich on Sunday, 2nd November, moving to a new location this year to accommodate the growing number of attendees. In addition to the Northern Regional Film Festival held at Cineworld Sheffield on Sunday 16th November, we welcomed a combined audience of over 1,500, showcasing over 200 short films, from 90 PQA academies, representing 66 locations across the UK.
Every film showcased at the PQA Film Festivals are award-winning, celebrating academy projects and filmmaking competitions. Techniques learnt in the classroom are on display, with engaging performances, clever special effects, and story lines from thoughtful and reflective to comedic. Parents said they were so captivated they sank into their cinema seats, popcorn in hand, completely absorbed in the experience.
A selection of the films created in filmmaking classes in academy include:
PQA’s annual summer filmmaking challenge ‘My Summer of My, had the theme of mindfulness, with young filmmakers encouraged to create a short video journal. At PQA, we use a shared language and gently encourage mindfulness practices to help nurture this awareness in our academies.
The winning entries were celebrated at the Film Festivals and can be seen here:
All the winning films are detailed here at PQATV.com, our dedicated website to showcase the on screen and behind the scenes work created by or students. Check out the Official Selection to see all the winners, and the Special Mentions, also recognised by the judges.
Our Film & TV module is one of the things our Main Academy students love most about PQA. Taught by professional filmmakers who bring their real-world experience to our academies students learn everything from planning a story and setting up a shot to acting for the screen and directing a film.
Our newly re-imagined Poppets classes, for 4-6-year-olds, include projects which introduce young children to the magic of filmmaking, preparing them for our Film & TV classes in the Main Academy when they turn six!
To learn more about our film and television classes, visit our Film and TV page.
![Umbraco.Cms.Core.Models.MediaWithCrops`1[Umbraco.Cms.Web.Common.PublishedModels.Image]](/media/ghhdovu4/pqa-film-awards.jpg)
![Umbraco.Cms.Core.Models.MediaWithCrops`1[Umbraco.Cms.Web.Common.PublishedModels.Image]](/media/20akrcsi/film-tv.jpg)
![Umbraco.Cms.Core.Models.MediaWithCrops`1[Umbraco.Cms.Web.Common.PublishedModels.Image]](/media/y03no32v/film-festival-pqa.jpg)
![Umbraco.Cms.Core.Models.MediaWithCrops`1[Umbraco.Cms.Web.Common.PublishedModels.Image]](/media/xp5ppemz/student-film-awards.jpg)
![Umbraco.Cms.Core.Models.MediaWithCrops`1[Umbraco.Cms.Web.Common.PublishedModels.Image]](/media/f4tpg4pq/pqa-red-carpet-photos.jpg)
![Umbraco.Cms.Core.Models.MediaWithCrops`1[Umbraco.Cms.Web.Common.PublishedModels.Image]](/media/xodnkn1u/filmmakers-red-carpet.jpg)
Yes! Every academy offers one free trial session, as long as there is space available in the age group. If the group is currently full, you can join the waiting list, and we’ll contact you as soon as a place becomes available.
PQA runs for 41 weeks throughout the school year. You can find the full list of term dates on each academy’s webpage, just search for your local academy and visit its web page.
PQA provides performing arts training for children and teens aged 4–18. Our Main Academy (ages 6–18) includes three core classes:
Some academies also offer Poppets (ages 4–6), an energetic 90-minute class introducing young children to singing, dancing and acting.
PQA welcomes all children, whether they’re complete beginners or already confident performers. There’s no audition needed to join.
At PQA students in Main Academy are grouped by age, learning with other children and young people at similar stages.
This depends on where you feel your child will be happiest. Some 6-year olds are ready to join the 6-9 age group in Main Academy, others will feel more comfortable starting in Poppets.
Your always welcome to discuss what’s best for your child with your local Principal before booking your free session.