University News Last updated 16 January
Alumnus, film director and Belgrade Theatre Creative Director Corey Campbell was honoured at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Midlands Awards last month as Diversity Champion for his short film, Turn + Draw.
The film is a bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, offering a raw and resonant response to the themes of conflict and pride.
Created to complement the theatrical production at the Belgrade, Turn + Draw encompasses Black British talent on screen and a diverse crew behind the camera.
With its diverse cast and creative team, the short film also challenged assumptions about who can interpret the classics, shining a spotlight on underrepresented talent and is a celebration of regional voices.
Through Turn + Draw, Corey also created opportunities for inclusion and talent development, with young people from the Belgrade Digital Media Academy shadowing the professional crew across camera, sound, continuity, production and post-production. In this way, they were able to gain hands-on experience bridging the gap between training and the industry.
RTS Midlands Chair Kully Khaila said: “From groundbreaking documentaries to standout scripted drama, innovative children’s programming and inspiring new talent, the awards showcased the creativity and resilience that make the Midlands a powerhouse of UK television.”
Pictured: (l-r) Film Director Corey Campbell, Cinematographer Evgeny Sinelnikov and Digital Producer/Editor Simone Herbert.