Meet our wonderful Sheffield DocFest team members. Our team is made up of brilliant people, all working very hard towards the 29th edition of the festival. We will be highlighting all of our team here, so stay tuned to find out who is behind the festival and what they're all about.
Beccy Ashdown (she/her) – Talks & Sessions Senior Producer
What are you most looking forward to at Sheffield DocFest 2022?
Seeing people in person again! I've really missed the energy you get from physically being together with people to listen, share, discuss, debate and be inspired. Bring on that post-festival glow you get after seeing old and new friends, full of new creative ideas.
Do you have a heartfelt or funny DocFest memory to share?
So many memories of seeing old friends from near and far, and re-connecting. And lots of dancing on sticky dance floors!
Name your favourite film or something you've seen recently that you enjoyed.
My favourite film experience at DocFest was seeing Viktor Jakovleski's Brimstone and Glory (2017) on the huge new screen at The Light cinema. My friend Julian Carrington (HotDocs) recommended I go see it, so I managed to squeeze in at the last minute. When Dan Romer & Benh Zeitlin's score kicked it (I'd become a huge fan since Beasts of the Southern Wild and Tomorrow we Disappear) I was blown away. Creative documentary artistry at it's finest!
Have you visited any exhibitions recently or have any art picks you'd like to share?
I loved Laura Page's exhibition Hidden Depths at the Yorkshire Artspace, Sheffield. It featured beautiful portraits of older people, breaking conventions of what it means to age. I also recently discovered Cameroonian photographer Samuel Fosso, when I was in Paris in March. The Maison Europeenne de la Photographie hosted a retrospective of his work, featuring over 300 pieces. Prolific!
When not at DocFest, where can we find you?
I'm a freelance Creative Producer, with a focus on the intersection between art, culture and social justice. I'm currently consulting with DocuMentality - a research project into the mental health needs of the documentary community. This research will inform the development of a tool kit and resources to provide better support to filmmakers. I'm also training to be a yoga teacher, and keen to bring these new skills into my work, to provide a space for restoration to the creative community.
www.beccyashdown.com
Greg Walker (he/him) – Production Manager
What are you most looking forward to at Sheffield DocFest 2022?
I am looking forward to experiencing a proper DocFest! Last year was my first and it was quite different of course, so I'm looking forward to working on a much bigger festival, and meeting delegates from around the world in the process.
Do you have a heartfelt or funny DocFest memory to share?
A really nice memory was the closing night of last year's DocFest. Running a hybrid festival is hard as you are essentially delivering two festivals at once. So after 10 days of really hard work, the whole team took to the roof the Showroom for some celebratory drinks and pizza, just as the sun was setting, and it was just a dead nice, picturesque way to wrap up a challenging festival!
Name your favourite film or something you've seen recently that you enjoyed.
One of my favourite films ever is The Fall by Tarsem Singh. It's about an early Hollywood stuntman forming a friendship with a little Romanian girl whilst they are both in hospital; he tells her stories and we see how they unravel in her mind. These stories are shot in some of the most amazing locations around the world. It is a proper beautiful, hidden gem of a film!
Have you visited any exhibitions recently or have any art picks you'd like to share?
I haven't been to any new ones, but I went to the V&A for the first time ever last month and I loved getting to see some of Eduard Schleich's work in the flesh for the first time!
When not at DocFest, where can we find you?
Outside of DocFest I'm typically doing lots of other events in Manchester! I am currently producing Manchester Animation Festival and Chapeltown Picture House; and in May I've got the first edition of a new festival called Mosh Film Fest, which is dedicated to celebrating depictions of heavy metal music on the big screen!
Hannah Campbell (she/her) – Alternate Realities Programme Producer
What are you most looking forward to at Sheffield DocFest 2022?
Full cinemas (fingers crossed!) and DocFest parties.
Do you have a heartfelt or funny DocFest memory to share?
Last year's beautiful weather meant that we could spend a lot the 2021 hybrid festival outdoors. The workstation rooftop Napoli Centro pizza party on the final day was delightful.
Name your favourite film or something you've seen recently that you enjoyed.
I've yet to find a film to top Singin' in the Rain. However, the best film I saw in the cinema recently was Adult Adoption at Glasgow Film Festival.
Have you visited any exhibitions recently or have any art picks you'd like to share?
I've been looking longingly at exhibitions from 2022 Venice Biennale and hope to get over there after DocFest has wrapped.
When not at DocFest, where can we find you?
I'm based in Glasgow where I spend a lot of time in my tiny little kitchen making elaborate meals for my friends.
Charlie Phillips (he/him) – Executive Producer, Industry Participation
What are you most looking forward to at Sheffield DocFest 2022?
Seeing everyone meet face to face at MeetMarket and renew those close connections and get stuff done.
Do you have a heartfelt or funny DocFest memory to share?
I've had a long relationship with the festival now, and a lot of my best memories are from the social events, where you see a big commissioner dancing to the same fun pop songs as a new filmmaker with no pretension or shame, and I've always thought that was a great model for how the documentary industry should work generally.
Name your favourite film or something you've seen recently that you enjoyed.
Cow - I love that people are getting more understanding for animal consciousness, and this is a beautiful way to show that without hitting people over the head. I don't think anyone can come away from spending 90 mins with Luma and not question our shared sense of dignity.
Have you visited any exhibitions recently or have any art picks you'd like to share?
I just went to Sussex to visit Charleston where the Bloomsbury Set would hang out, and also Farley's which Lee Miller and Roland Penrose lived in, and both are beautiful sites of art as a lived thing, where you turn your home into an artwork. And I'm really into how both the Bloomsbury crew and the surrealists were creating something totally new and instinctive, rooted in dreams and play.
When not at DocFest, where can we find you?
I also work on documentaries for kids at Lyfta and organise documentary screenings in Folkestone where I live. And if you come to Folkestone, you'll likely find me in the sea - I've become a real sea swimming bore, it really is the best therapy you can get!
Lee Bentham (he/him) – Operations and Admin Coordinator
What are you most looking forward to at Sheffield DocFest 2022?
The chaos! I can't wait for everyone to arrive and for all the guests, staff and volunteers to be brought back together in full force for the festival. Bring it on.
Do you have a heartfelt or funny DocFest memory to share?
Me and some of the volunteers making a mini-cinema in the volunteer hub so we could watch some of the films we had missed while on shift. It was really nice to see be able to share that with each other.
Name your favourite film or something you've seen recently that you enjoyed.
Misery. Kathy Bates is terrifying and hilarious.
Have you visited any exhibitions recently or have any art picks you'd like to share?
There was a great exhibition at Left Bank Leeds, by artist Giles Walker, called Monster. It was pretty creepy but also really interesting to explore, especially in such an atmospheric venue.
When not at DocFest, where can we find you?
I run a screening series in Leeds called, What The Film Club, showcasing the best, worst and weirdest B movies, cult classics and trash cinema. Lots of films that are so bad they are great fun to watch in social screenings with an onsite bar. We're currently planning the second half of the year and will be expanding the programme and launching a website for some online content in the coming months. Often dumb, always fun.
Follow us at @whatthefilmclubleeds on Instagram or @whatthefilmclub on Twitter
Sarah Mosses (she/her) – Head of Marketing & Audiences
What are you most looking forward to at Sheffield DocFest 2022?
Seeing friends and colleagues in person together, to celebrate each others work, and catch up on industry news. It's been too long since we have gathered together to share stories!
Do you have a heartfelt or funny DocFest memory to share?
In 2012 I hosted the UK Premiere of Ping Pong at Sheffield DocFest and turned a car park into a Ping Pong nightclub. It was by far one of the best parties I've ever hosted!
Name your favourite film or something you've seen recently that you enjoyed.
Honestly: Sister Act 2. Recently the series 'When They See Us'.
When not at DocFest, where can we find you?
I'm infrequently blogging about all things film, impact and mental health at www.sarahmosses.com
Saziso Phiri (she/her) – Production Assistant
What are you most looking forward to at Sheffield DocFest 2022?
Discovering new documentaries and the Alternate Realities programme.
Do you have a heartfelt or funny DocFest memory to share?
This is my first DocFest, however I am sure I will after the festival.
Name your favourite film or something you've seen recently that you enjoyed.
I have too many to list, but amongst my top 5 is The Godfather II.
Have you visited any exhibitions recently or have any art picks you'd like to share?
I recently visited the Venice Biennale, and was really impressed with a VR installation for the Georgian Pavilion called 'I Pity the Garden'. The immersive piece takes you on a journey through what looks like apocalyptic world that has endured the effects of human disregard for nature. Eye opening and mesmerising.
When not at DocFest, where can we find you?
I've learnt to value rest a lot more, so possibly at home with one of many books that I've accumulated over the years. When I am not resting, curating and producing art projects.
Oli Roberts (he/him) – Volunteer Coordinator
What are you most looking forward to at Sheffield DocFest 2022?
The buzz of opening day when all our plans come into motion!
Do you have a heartfelt or funny DocFest memory to share?
One year at the end of the festival whilst having a few drinks, some of volunteers I was working with thanked me and it was just really nice to hear they had a good time and felt respected.
Name your favourite film or something you've seen recently that you enjoyed.
Favourite at DocFest: The Act of Killing, Favourite Serious Film: There Will be Blood, Favourite Comedy: Some Like it Hot, Favourite Kids Film: Muppet Treasure Island (I could watch that literally anytime. If you ask me right now "Oli, do you wanna watch Muppet Treasu-" I'll have already pressed play).
When not at DocFest, where can we find you?
Climbing rocks, making pizza, trying to finish my doc! :D
Sophie Duncan (she/her) – Industry Programme Coordinator
What are you most looking forward to at Sheffield DocFest 2022?
Spending time with lots of new and familiar people is always my favourite part of any festival and this year there will be so many ways to do this - the Marketplace, screenings, exhibitions, parties. I'm just super excited about people!
Do you have a heartfelt or funny DocFest memory to share?
From starting here as a Festival Assistant and then coming back in various capacities, my favourite memories are all based on very genuine and supportive friendships I've made with some fellow team members and some people I've met through the festival. (A very cheesy answer but it's also very true!)
Name your favourite film or something you've seen recently that you enjoyed.
It's probably a clichéd answer but Portrait of a Lady on Fire is one of my all time favourite films. Seeing it at Leeds Town Hall in 2019 was a beautiful way to experience it and I couldn't stop thinking about the film for a good couple of weeks. In terms of documentaries, A Night of Knowing Nothing is one I saw recently which is truly amazing.
When not at DocFest, where can we find you?
I'm Festival Producer & Programmer at Women X, a North East based film festival which uplifts filmmakers of marginalised genders, and I bounce around various festivals as a freelancer. I've also got very into trying to learn new languages which I'm really enjoying, and I'm prioritising rest time to myself which means lots of walking and reading.
