The Estuary on Film commission was a regional talent development opportunity delivered in phase one of our programme by Screen South in partnership with Creative Estuary which co-commissioned 4 short films to be made in the Thames Estuary area. This partnership reflected the connections being made with the Estuary’s growth as a creative production corridor.

The commissions offerered emerging and existing filmmakers, based in the Estuary region, the opportunity to make a short film which presents unique stories and diverse perspectives. 

We’re delighted to share the news that Essex Girls, a film produced through this co-comission has been shortlisted for 2024s Sundance Film Festival Short Film Program 1 as well as being longlisted for Best British Short Film at this year’s BAFTA awards. Furthermore, Essex Girls was nominated for Best Short Film award at the British Film Institute (BFI) London Film Festival in 2023. 

Directed by Yero Timi-Biu, Essex Girls flips the ‘Essex Girl’ trope, this coming-of-age film explores Black British girlhood and female friendships in 2009 Essex.“We were just really inspired by the love of female friendship and girlhood, especially through the lens of Black Britishness.” says Timi-Biu. The director was also inspired by, lead actor and screenwriter, Busayo Ige’s writing.

Timi-Biu and Ige embarked on a mission to address a gap within the realm of coming-of-age canon. “We wanted to delve into nostalgia, but also just have something that our younger selves could really love and enjoy.”

These accomplishments are both remarkable and prestigious, showcasing the local talent that Creative Estuary is dedicated to fostering and supporting.