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Two Gonville & 91ֱ�� College students have prominent roles in the running of the UK’s largest student film festival, which takes place next weekend (March 4 to 6).

Amber Hyams (English 2019) and James Macnab (Classics 2019) are the Festival Director and Head of Events, respectively, of the .

This year’s three-day hybrid festival features industry masterclasses, panel discussions, key note speeches and networking while showcasing the best student short films from around the world. All events are free to attend. Highlights include professionals working on Dune, Normal People, I May Destroy You, Loki, Miranda, and Sex Education.

Watersprite received over 1,400 submissions from over 100 countries, and is a collaborative event run by students from the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University.

Nominees and winners in the 13-year history of the festival have gone on to win at Sundance, Bafta, and even at the Oscars, becoming huge names across the industry.

“We’re building our alumni network up so people working in the industry are helping the next generation,” Amber says.

Amber believes the continued success of the festival is because there are no constraints on submissions – no themes.

“Excellence is the only criteria,” she adds.

The 2022 festival includes an experimental category for the first time. “Submission have been more arty, less narrative focused,” Amber adds.

A social impact category has featured fascinating documentaries, while Watersprite has also organised a fundraising event, celebrating female filmmakers in Afghanistan.

The judging process has been lengthy and challenging when combined with a Cambridge degree.

James says: “I watched a batch of 20 because I was a pre-selection judge. I then chaired a jury in the final stage of judging and watched another eight.

“It’s not a massive dent in the 1,400, but there was a whole mixture in that 28 and you become quite attached to some.”

For more information and to sign up for free tickets, visit: