University News Last updated 03 October
A BCU Alumna who has enjoyed huge success working behind the scenes on Coronation Street and EastEnders is celebrating her latest short film being included in a major US film festival.
Saffron Akira King, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in Media and Communication in 2017 before completing an MSc in Management and Entrepreneurship in 2018, has had her film, ‘Is There Life After Grief’ selected in the Diaspora Festival of Black and Independent film.
The film is being showcased across the USA this month, including a residency at the Sonja Haynes Stone Centre for Research in Black Culture and History at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Saffron, who now lives in London and works as a freelance Script Editor and Writer, worked on the film earlier this year.
She said: “I wrote the film in February 2024, and it was filmed across a full day in May. As I was the Director, Producer and Writer on the project, I had to do all of the work involved.
“The project is a poetic film following Daisy, who is experiencing navigating life after losing the closest person to her. The film explores the possibilities of life after grief through faith, community, hope and determination.
“I want people to watch it because it’s a film that gives hope; we have all experienced losing a loved one or experiencing grief in another capacity, and this film's aim is to encourage people amid grief, pain and turmoil. It is an uplifting film covering dark subjects in a poetic way.”
Saffron was inspired by her own experiences when writing the film.
She said: “It was very fulfilling working on the film, especially as it is a story that I have written from my own personal experiences.
“It came with its challenges, such as time management and ensuring that the cast and crew were well looked after, and that the communication was crystal clear. But it was my love of storytelling that always keeps me going.
“I am ecstatic that my film is being shown in the US. I have always wanted to reach the American market with my work so this is a dream come true. It is exciting to know that people globally will be watching my work and I am so grateful.”
The film isn’t Saffron’s first time behind the camera. Since graduating, she has worked as a Script Editor on EastEnders and Coronation Street, and she also won awards for her previous British Film Institute (BFI) funded short film which was well received by audiences across the film festival circuit.
The alumna is now already working on another short film which is set to go into production in early 2025.
Getting into the film industry isn’t easy, but thanks to Saffron’s excellent networking skills and with support from her former lecturers, she has enjoyed a wide range of opportunities.
She said: “I got into the TV industry through networking. My BCU Lecturer, Dr Vanessa Jackson, helped to connect me to producers at the BBC, where they gave me my first role at BBC Doctors as a Team Assistant in their script department which was a phenomenal experience. From there, I found a wide range of other roles.
“The advice I would share with students and graduates is that networking in the media industry is the key to success. Your network is your net worth!
“I would also encourage students and graduates to create their own content too, whether that be a short film, podcast or YouTube channel. Keep working on your projects, as they are a great way to get noticed and get a job in your dream industry.”
‘Is There Life After Grief?’ will be released on YouTube later this year.