Since our launch, Create Studios has become a true creative hub, buzzing with storytelling, training, screenings, and collaborations that champion local talent and community voices.
From our indie cinema Sofa Screenings – Swindon’s first! – to industry training with ScreenSkills and the BFI, and our free Saturday Club for 13–16 year olds, we’ve been nurturing filmmakers at every stage of their journey.

This year we were thrilled to be awarded Swindon’s first Arts of Sanctuary Award, recognising over a decade of work with refugees and asylum seekers. It’s a huge milestone—and one we’re incredibly proud of.
Through our Create Futures graduate returner programme, we’ve supported local creatives launching careers in film, and commissioned three original short films from talented writer-directors, thanks to the backing of our brilliant patrons, David Yates and Yvonne Walcott.

These shorts have already picked up festival wins!!!

On top of that, our Create Production team has been hard at work with everyone from the NHS and health partners to major names like Chelsea FC, producing meaningful, high-impact content that connects audiences across the country.

All of this has been made possible thanks to our visionary funders – Arts Council England, Swindon Borough Council via the Towns Fund, the BFI, National Lottery Heritage Fund and so many more who believe in the power of creativity to change lives.

And of course, none of this could happen without our brilliant team, our collaborators, and the community who continue to make Create Studios such a vibrant, welcoming space.

Celebrate With Us: 25% Off Studio & Kit Hire!

As a big thank you and to celebrate this milestone, we’re offering 25% off all studio and equipment rentals made before 31st August. Whether you’re planning a shoot, workshop or private screening – this is the perfect time to get creative at Create!

Here’s to 2 amazing years and to everything still to come.

The post Two Years Old and Still Growing! appeared first on Create Studios.

This recognition, presented in partnership with the City of Sanctuary, celebrates over a decade of our work supporting people seeking sanctuary and embedding their stories at the heart of our creative practice. From participatory social history projects like See Me Too and Stitch Your Story, to seminars, screenings and safe spaces for cultural expression – our commitment has always been clear: Create is a home for everyone.

Take a look at our recent short film Sanctuary Seekers, which captures voices and visions from across the community: Watch here

What makes the Arts of Sanctuary process so powerful is that it challenges us to plan ahead. More exhibitions. More workshops. More inclusive screenings. It’s a pathway to deepen our impact—and we’re thrilled to share that sanctuary voices will now also be helping shape our future, as we expand our Advisory Group over the next year.

Finally, we’re proud to continue supporting Swindon’s bid to become an official Borough of Sanctuary. For over 40 years, Swindon has been our home – a town built by people from around the world, from the GWR works to today’s global industries.

It’s a vibrant, welcoming place to create and this award only strengthens our belief in the power of community storytelling.

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Create Studios is on the lookout for an enthusiastic Freelance Trainee Co-ordinator to join our powerful new project: Rediscovered Journeys – Voices of South Asian Migration and Hope in the Southwest.
This is more than a freelance role – it’s an invitation to become part of a meaningful journey, helping to uncover, document, and share the untold migration stories of South Asian elders who settled in rural Somerset, Dorset, Swindon and Wiltshire 60–70 years ago.

We’re looking for someone with heart, curiosity and drive. Someone who’s passionate about people, history, storytelling – and wants to grow their skills in project coordination and community engagement.

What You’ll Be Doing
-Supporting interviews and events with partner groups across the South West
-Helping source materials, permissions, and research content for exhibitions
-Co-ordinating with writers, filmmakers, and elders to help bring stories to life
-Learning on the job – gaining real experience in arts and heritage project delivery

Who We’re Looking For

-Aged 18–30 and at an early stage in your career
-You love connecting with people from all walks of life and cultures
-You’re organised, proactive, and curious – always ready to roll up your sleeves
-You’ve got great communication skills and a desire to learn more about event planning and storytelling
-You’re excited about exploring the South Asian diaspora experience

Role Details:
-£120/day | 6-8 days/month | 10-month contract
-Flexible working, with at least one day per week in the Create Studios office (Swindon)
Deadline to apply: Thursday 4th April

This is a rare opportunity to be part of something beautiful – to rediscover hidden histories, connect generations and help give voice to stories of resilience, belonging and hope.

Create Studios is proud to be a diverse and inclusive team, and we particularly welcome applications from those under-represented in the industry. Due to the nature of this project our funding encourages those with experience of South Asian communities to apply.

Sound like you or someone you know?
Apply Today!

The post Freelance Trainee Co-ordinator Wanted appeared first on Create Studios.

We are beyond excited to share some incredible news, Create Studios has been awarded £164,047 from the inaugural BFI Places Fund, awarding National Lottery funding to launch ‘Create Traction’, an initiative designed to support and develop the next generation of creative professionals in Swindon and beyond!

What is Create Traction?

The UK’s creative industries are thriving, yet skilled professionals from under-represented backgrounds still face barriers when entering the field. Create Traction is our response to this challenge, ensuring that Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucester support and retain local talent and provide a skilled workforce for South West studios and the broader industry.

This initiative will:

-Form partnerships with education institutions to bridge gaps in industry relevant training
-Tackle local skills shortages across key film and TV production roles
-Offer practical, hands-on training and on-set experience for 48 emerging production participants
-Build a strategy to grow film production across Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucester

A Game-Changer for Local Talent

With the BFI Places Fund’s support, Create Studios is proud to be one of only three organisations chosen for this funding, a major milestone for film and media development in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. Thanks to this incredible opportunity, we will be welcoming 48 aspiring creatives to level up their skills in high-demand film roles, including:

-Digital Imaging Technician (DIT)
-Camera Assistant
-Production Coordinator
-Spark (Lighting Technician)

Each of these four key roles will be covered in a two-day intensive training session, plus a one day live on-set experience, giving participants real-world, hands-on experience ahead of a 1 week on set paid placement that will help kickstart their careers in the industry.

The creative industries thrive on diverse perspectives and fresh talent yet access to professional training and real-world experience can be a significant barrier. Create Traction will directly address this gap, equipping local creatives with the skills, knowledge, mentoring and networks they need to succeed.

Why This Matters

Create’s CEO, Shahina Johnson MBE reflected, “This isn’t just about training, it’s about building a sustainable, inclusive industry pipeline that nurtures and retains talent right here in Swindon. Our mission has always been to uplift, empower, and invest in the next generation of digital creatives, and this initiative takes that commitment to the next level.”

We are incredibly grateful to the BFI Places Fund for believing in our vision and investing in our creative community. Their support allows us to bring the groundbreaking Create Traction programme to life and expand career pathways for emerging talent in film and TV.

A Huge Thank You to BFI Places Fund

Stay tuned for updates on how to apply, training schedules, and more ways to get involved!

CreateTraction #CreateStudios #BFIPlacesFund #FilmTraining #NextGenTalent #DiversityInFilm #LetsCreate

The post Create Studios Announces £164,000 from the BFI Places Fund  appeared first on Create Studios.

The evening began as the legendary David Yates, the visionary director behind Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, and Tarzan, walked through our doors. But he wasn’t alone. Accompanying him was his wife, the ever-gracious and creative artist, Yvonne Walcott Yates. Together, their presence filled the room with warmth and an undeniable spark of inspiration.

The occasion? To honor three brilliant Swindon filmmakers—Louis Hickford, George Green, and Daniel Granville—winners of the Short Film Fund, a collaboration between David, Yvonne and Create Studios. This fund wasn’t just about recognition; it was about fostering local talent and reminding everyone that the most extraordinary stories can come from anywhere.

As the audience settled in, David took the stage, sharing stories from his remarkable career. He spoke of his early days, the hurdles he faced, and the lessons he learned along the way. He reminded everyone about bringing authenticity and  passion to your work, as well as remembering that filmmaking is a collegiate and collaborative process where success is bringing a team across the finishing line together. 

Then came a special treat: David screened one of his early short films, RANK, a rare and personal glimpse into the beginnings of a career that would go on to captivate audiences worldwide. Watching it felt like a privilege—a reminder that even the greatest filmmakers have passion projects in their past which shape their future direction. 

And then to the 3 films the Short Film Fund had supported: Kevin at Work (Louis Hickford), Ghost Story (Daniel Granville)

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 and Heaven Spot (George Green); tales of comic misadventures, supernatural facets of grief, the emotional and transcendant.  It was a moment of recognition and affirmation from a captivated audience. The following supportive Q&A led by David Yates articulated their hard work, creativity, and unique voices —a memory that will undoubtedly fuel their future endeavors.

As the night drew to a close, there was a palpable sense of something bigger. It wasn’t just about the awards or the presence of a famous filmmaker, or the networking between young film talent; it was about the belief that creativity thrives everywhere and that extraordinary things can emerge from even the most unexpected places. Swindon’s talent, passion, and determination shone out,  and reminded us all of the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and transform.

Thank you, David and Yvonne, for reminding us that production ambitions are worth chasing and that every story—no matter where it starts—deserves to be told. And congratulations once again to Louis, George, and Daniel. Your journeys are just beginning, and we can’t wait to see where they take you.

Here’s to many more nights like this at Create Studios, where connections and creativity are nurtured and where inspiring stories are captured.

#CreateStudios #DavidYates #ShortFilmFund #Filmmaking #SwindonTalent #CreativeCommunity

The post A Night to Remember: David Yates Returns to Create Studios appeared first on Create Studios.

Turn your team gatherings into a cinematic experience with our exclusive private screenings! Perfect for team-building days, year-end celebrations, or just a memorable team outing, our cosy venue offers everything you need to make your event a success.

OUR PRIVATE SCREENINGS OFFER:
A Film of Your Choice – Select a movie that fits your team’s mood.
Comfort & Style – Enjoy in a cosy setup with 25 sofas and space for up to 35 attendees.
Welcome Drink – Kick off the experience with a complimentary welcome drink.

Weekly Slots Available!
We offer one exclusive screening slot per week – secure your preferred date early to celebrate with your team.

Pricing starts from £400* + VAT (including a dedicated manager to assist with the film and serve/sell drinks).

Contact us to get a quote!

*Discount for charities/community groups.

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