The Arts Foundation announce the four Shortlisted Artists of the Arts Foundation Futures Awards 2025 for Film.
The Film Award supports film directors working in any genre of fiction filmmaking, focusing on independent and inventive storytellers. Meet the Shortlist:
Luna Carmoon is a self-taught writer and director from South East London. Luna’s debut feature film, Hoard was met with critical acclaim, premiering at Venice in 2023.
Naqqash Khalid is a writer and director from Manchester. His debut feature film, IN CAMERA, was released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland in 2024.
Tina Pasotra is a filmmaker, director and artist based in Cardiff, Wales. Tina’s debut narrative short film, ‘I Choose’ in 2020 was nominated for Best Short Film BAFTA Cymru 2021.
Fridtfjof Ryder is a writer and director. His debut feature film, INLAND, premiered at the BFI London Film Festival and was long-listed for 10 BIFA awards.
With thank to our independent Jury members: Claudia Yusef, Commissioning Executive at BBC Film; Peter Suschitzky, Cinematographer and Photographer; and Joanna Hogg, Director and Screenwriter who said:
“What excites me as a creative is an artist that has places to go, and wants to delve into themselves through their art. This is what makes the Arts Foundation Futures Awards so special, it facilitates space for young independent practitioners to experiment and take risks. All the work of the shortlisted filmmakers, Luna Carmoon, Naqqash Khalid, Tina Pasotra and Fridtjof Ryder have a palpable and infectious energy. I am hugely excited to follow their respective journeys in film and see what they do next.”
Claudia Yusef added:
“The legacy of the Arts Foundation Futures Awards is impressive with filmmakers such as Asif Kapadia and Carol Morley among the alumni, so it has been a pleasure to participate in this year’s Film Award jury. From Luna Carmoon’s raw and visceral cinematic work to Naqqash Khalid’s brave experimentalism, Fridtjof Ryder’s radical accomplishments at such a young age, and Tina Pasotra’s eloquent visual language and storytelling – each of the artists already brings a vibrancy and something unique to the wider film industry. As a jury, we are delighted to support their work in this way.”
The Arts Foundation has a long history of supporting film, moving image and new media, Mary Jane Edwards, Director of The Arts Foundation says:
“We are delighted to be supporting this important award, while the UK is fortunate to host many brilliant film festivals, financing and production support for emerging experimental filmmakers remains critically low. We were really moved by the depth of storytelling of the four shortlisted filmmakers, and are thrilled to support their development.”
Read more about this year’s awards.
The Arts Foundation is a registered charity that supports individual artists and creatives in the UK with unconditional financial Fellowships of £20,000 through the Arts Foundation Futures Awards. Since it was founded in 1993, the Arts Foundation has awarded over £2 million to the most promising artists in the UK at a pivotal moment in their careers to enable them to concentrate on their creative development, experiment, and realise their artistic potential.