Sarah Gavron on her career, the film industry and representation

15 Jul 2020

40 mins
Sarah Gavron on her career, the film industry and representation

To mark World Youth Skills Day (15 July), we're delighted to present the full video of our recent virtual talk with director Sarah Gavron, who spoke to young people about her career and offered advice on breaking into the industry. This virtual event was our first collaboration with Speakers for Schools, with whom we will be enhancing our offer of in-school talks with industry professionals. Watch the full video above. 

Sarah Gavron joined us virtually on the morning of 12 June, speaking to young people directly about her career and her journey working in the creative industries. Sarah spoke about inequality within the industry, including the lack of both women directors and wider representation. She also discussed how young people (as the next generation) can challenge the status quo by rethinking where stories should come from and who should be telling them.

The event was incredibly well-received, with around 700 young people tuning in to take part and over 400 questions being submitted to Sarah over the course of the morning.

"I learnt new ways to engage with the film industry and develop my own experience independently", said one student from South Hunsley Sixth Form in East Riding. Another, from Saffron Walden County High School in Essex, remarked: "I felt as though I got a few extra tips and insights into what working in the film industry is like, especially as a director which is my desired career path. I learnt key traits needed to succeed."

It was very inspiring to see a very successful female director, and it was very interesting to hear her approach to diversity and the gender imbalance in the industry.

Student from South Hunsley Sixth Form in East Riding that tuned in to our Sarah Gavron virtual talk

After her stunning debut Brick Lane, which was followed-up by 2015's award-winning Suffragette, Sarah Gavron returns behind the camera for her much-anticipated third feature, Rocks, which reunites her with BAFTA-nominated producer Faye Ward (Stan & OllieWild Rose).

In the upcoming release, 15-year-old Rocks fears that she and her little brother Emmanuel will be taken into care and forced apart if anyone finds out that their mother has left them to fend for themselves. Against all odds, and with the help of her loyal friends, she evades the authorities and navigates the most defining days of her young life.

Rocks is an astounding film about resilience, joy, and the spirit of girlhood, and will be released soon (date to be confirmed).

This collaboration with Speakers for Schools forms part of Into Film's Careers in Film programme, which aims to reach educators and young people with resources and opportunities that promote the varied world of work in the film industry. Our curriculum-linked resources have provided activities and lesson plans to educators wanting to integrate careers into their schools curriculum. Our resources give the opportunity for learning about skills used in film industry jobs, introduced through literacy, maths, science and a whole range of other subjects.

You may also be interested in...

Viewing 4 of 4 related items.

Into Film Clubs

Into Film Clubs

Find out everything you need to know about starting an Into Film Club.

News details

Want to write for us?

Get in touch with your article ideas for the News and Views section.