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Students’ film to premiere at top documentary festival

​A documentary created by a group of students at the University of Gloucestershire has been officially selected for a top film festival.

The documentary short called ‘Cheer’, directed by second year Film Production student Tina Vidmar, will have its world premiere at the Sheffield Doc/Fest 2018 from 7 – 12 June.

The film, which depicts a young cheerleader struggling to cope with the coach’s rigorous training session, will be screened twice at Sheffield, which is regarded as the UK’s top documentary film festival and is amongst the top five in the world.

Tina worked with fellow students Tom James, Will Evans, Taeyang Zhang and Nikola Jurčáková, to create the film as part of their Documentary module which is taught by award-winning director, Lindsey Dryden. Lindsey will also be delivering a masterclass, at the festival, on innovative film distribution and her recently Oscar long-listed film ‘Unrest’.

Tina Vidmar, who is studying BA (Hons) Film Production at the University of Gloucestershire, said:

“After hearing the news, I felt overwhelmed with excitement. ‘Cheer’ is the first documentary short film I have directed, and the first time I have had a film receive official selection at a festival, let alone a high profile one like Sheffield Doc/Fest. I was surrounded by a strong and collaborative crew that I am thankful to have had during production. My lecturers truly want to see us do well and they fully support you on the journey you make as a filmmaker – something I feel very fortunate to have”.

Paul Zinder, Senior Lecturer in Film Production at the University of Gloucestershire, said:

“We’re thrilled to hear about the acceptance of ‘Cheer’ into the Sheffield Doc/Fest as the film will screen alongside documentaries made by professionals. Tina and her crew earned this honour, and we’re proud that she’ll represent the University of Gloucestershire Film Production course at such a prestigious festival”.

‘Cheer’ will have its world premiere at the Sheffield Doc/ Fest, 7 – 12 June, and will be screened twice at the event to industry and public audiences. The screenings will also include a Q&A with director Tina Vidmar.