Freddie’s film wins anniversary student comp

An “engaging and beautiful” short film about space and architecture on campus has won the University’s 50th anniversary student film competition.

The film’s creator - Freddie Mason, a third-year English undergraduate – picked up his £1,000 prize at an awards event and screening in central Brighton last night (Thursday 15 March).

Freddie’s film, Sussex as space, looks at the campus in terms of its architectural space and how this is used and transformed by the individuals that it contains.

The Director of Communications, Rob Read, was on the panel of judges. He said: “I like the way that Freddie’s film explores the idea of the unique spaces at Sussex created by Sir Basil Spence’s architecture, and the concept of a university education being an extended conversation developing in that space. And it does so in a way which is immediately engaging and thoughtful.

“I also enjoyed its clever use of projected film of world events over 50 years projected onto Sussex buildings.

“The range of interesting filmic devices employed support the ideas being explored and make it beautiful to look at and watch as a film.”

The judging panel was completed by David Cichon, President of the Students’ Union; Professor Michael Farthing, Vice-Chancellor; Professor Sue Thornham, Head of the School of Media, Film and Music.

Freddie is one of four Sussex students who were chosen in November 2010 to create a film in 2011-12 inspired by 50 years of the University of Sussex.

Second place, and £500, went to Orban Wallace, a third-year Media Practice and Theory undergraduate. His film, A time to belong, follows local stencil artist ZeeZee 22 as he creates a giant work of art inspired by John Upton’s 1967 mural ‘Christ’s entry into Brighton’ (hanging in Arts A).

Sandra Spighel, a Digital Documentary postgraduate, received £250 after her film, This is US, won third prize. Sandra’s film features a discussion between people from Sussex’s past and present, led by Simon Fanshawe, the current Chair of Council.

Nathaniel Statton, a Literature, Film and Visual Culture postgraduate, took the runner-up prize of £125 for his film made up of photographs of the University.

Rob continued: “The entries were strong and interesting, each taking a different and distinct approach to exploring Sussex and what it stands for. They all brought to film something fresh about Sussex and all provide a fitting legacy of the University’s 50^th anniversary.”

The films were publicly screened for the first time at last night’s event at The Lighthouse arts venue in Brighton.

You can view the four films, which are each less than 15 minutes in length, at the end of this article or on the University’s YouTube channel.

The University has been holding a series of events and activities over the course of 2011-12 that recognise its past, celebrate the milestone of 50 years, and look to how it can play a significant role in the future of education and research.

For more information about the 50^th anniversary celebrations, go to Fifty years of the University of Sussex or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter (use the hashtag #sussexuni50).