New York’s Tribeca Film Festival beckons for Aberystwyth students

Left to Right: Dylan Jones, Alumni Engagement & Individual Giving Manager; Dr Anwen Jones, Head of the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies; students Julia Pawlikowska and Agata Rafalska who will be heading to the Tribec Film Festival with Dr Greg Bevan, Lecturer in Film and Media Practice; and Hayley Goddard Individual Giving Officer at Aberystwyth University.

Left to Right: Dylan Jones, Alumni Engagement & Individual Giving Manager; Dr Anwen Jones, Head of the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies; students Julia Pawlikowska and Agata Rafalska who will be heading to the Tribec Film Festival with Dr Greg Bevan, Lecturer in Film and Media Practice; and Hayley Goddard Individual Giving Officer at Aberystwyth University.

09 February 2018

Aberystwyth University students will rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in film and cinema when they attend one of the world’s leading film festivals in April.

Julia Pawlikowska and Agata Rafalska from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies have won a four-day visit to New York’s Tribeca Film Festival which takes place from 18–29 April 2018.

Established by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal to revitalize downtown Manhattan following 9/11, the Tribeca Film Festival is now in its 17th year.

It brings creators, diverse audiences, and the industry together in New York for what is described as an ‘annual storytelling festival’.

Funded by contributions from Aberystwyth University alumni via the Aber Fund, Julia and Agata receive return flights and four nights’ accommodation in New York for their visit.

Also included will be a free festival delegate pass, giving them access to many screenings, events, filmmaker’s lounges and VIP areas.

Originally from Warsaw in Poland, Julia’s interests lie in observational documentaries and fiction, and is a fan of Polish film director and screenwriter Krzysztof Kieślowski.

“This is an amazing opportunity to see how the film industry works from the inside and I’m looking forward to networking with film makers and enthusiasts from all over the world”, said Julia, who is in her final year studying Film and Television.

Agata, from the town of Lask in central Poland, is also in her final year studying Film and Television. Her primary interest is in cinematography.

Agata said: “I’m really looking forward to attending Tribeca and in particular to experiencing the artists hub, networking and seeing some of the short films which often see directors being more experimental with film. From a cinematographic perspective I’m looking forward to seeing some of the solutions people come up with to create certain effects.”

During their time in New York, Julia and Agata will also meet with Ben Thompson, Film Maker Relations Manager and Shorts Programmer for the Tribeca Film Festival.

Ben is an Aberystwyth University Drama, Theatre, Film and Television graduate and one of a number of prominent Creative Associates who contribute to the Department’s rich and varied teaching programme.

Dr Greg Bevan, Lecturer in Film and Media Practice at Aberystwyth University, will accompany Julia and Agata to Tribeca.

“Congratulations to Julia and Agata on winning this excellent opportunity to visit the Tribeca Film Festival which has been made possible by the wonderful support of our alumni via the Aber Fund.

“Attending a film festival of this calibre is a big step up and is an important opportunity for our students to see themselves as film makers rather than students. They will meet and discuss their work with some of the best short film makers in the world in a professional environment. It is not about being a fan, it is about presenting yourself and your work as a professional film maker. It will also give them an idea of what they need to do to get their work shown here and in similar film festivals around the world.”

Dr Bevan’s visit is sponsored by Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies.

Dr Anwen Jones, Head of the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies said: “We are delighted to sponsor a member of staff to attend the Tribeca Film Festival with the students and develop the relationship between the Department and the festival itself. It is also such a valuable experience for our students, and we are grateful to our alumni for their support in making this possible.”

With this year’s programme yet to be announced, last year’s Festival celebrated the 40th anniversary of The Godfather and The Godfather Part II with back–to-back screenings, with Diane Keaton, James Caan, Francis Ford Coppola, Al Pacino, Talia Shire, Robert Duvall, and Robert De Niro in attendance.

There was also a 25th anniversary celebration for Reservoir Dogs with Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, and Tim Roth.

Julia and Agata are the third pairing of students from Aberystwyth University to visit the Tribeca Film Festival with the support of the Aber Fund.