HE Students from BA (Hons) Film & Media Arts Production and BA (Hons) Makeup, Wigs and Special Effects courses recently took part in an exciting residential project in Lille, France! The core focus of the trip had the students working on a short film, shot on location in the city, utilising famous locations that Lille is known for.
Outside of filming and makeup, there was also time to explore the city, with students taking time to practice their photography skills in this new environment. Students got a chance to immerse themselves in local culture, visiting galleries such as Le LaM, a prominent museum of modern art, contemporary art and outsider art. The museum was hosting a Kandinsky exhibition and also features a spectacular sculpture garden including famous works from Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder and others. Students also experienced local architecture, visiting the modernist Villa Cavrois which features many impressive elements including a water mirror and intriguing artworks.
The film is currently in post-production, with the world premiere being held at Cube Microplex in Bristol on May 20th 2026, alongside Experimental Media Arts, Film & Photography showcase. Stay tuned for more information about this showcase, coming soon!
Richard Edkins, HE Programme Co-ordinator for Film & Media Arts Production was “really impressed with how the students worked so well together on location.” He added: “Nothing beats these live projects for learning and developing vital skills!”
In keeping with UCW’s ethos of sustainability, the group travelled to Lille using the Eurostar train instead of flying. This aligned the project to albert objectives. albert is an organisation founded to support the film and TV industry in reducing their environmental impact from production. albert is owned and backed by BAFTA, as part of their commitment to net zero and climate action.
This exciting international trip forms part of the Art, Film, Game & Graphic Design and Performance & Production Arts Careers Excellence Hub. At University Centre Weston our approach goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. Through trips like these, we equip our learners with the real-world experiences and insights that set them apart in the competitive job market. It’s not just about getting a job; it’s about standing out from the crowd when they embark on their job searches.
If you want to hone your film skills on one of our residential trips, there’s still time to sign up for the course! Click here to find out more! If you’re more interested in the Hair and Makeup, check out our Makeup, Wigs and Special Effects course!
