The Film Score Project
The Film Score Project is our most recent collaboration with Oxford University’s Music Department. Five student directors are chosen and paired up with student composers to deliver five short films. Both filmmakers and composers will receive support from industry professionals in the process. The finished product will premiere in the Schwarzman Centre for Humanities, with a live performance from a professional orchestra.
Crew application for the Film Score Project are open until week 1 of Michaelmas term. Look out for further cast / crew calls throughout the term!
The OUFF Film
In September 2024, OUFF launched ‘The OUFF Film’ project. The OUFF Film is an anthology series made up of five short films responding to the theme ‘Oxford Tales.’
The project was created to get as many students involved as possible at every stage of the filmmaking process. We want it to be a vehicle for collaboration and for giving students valuable training and hands-on experience. Students can sign up and take up a role in one of the short films, from acting to cinematography and production.
We see mentorship as a hugely important part of a project like this. It was an honour that legendary film director Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Donnie Brasco) and brilliant producer Cleone Clarke (The Father, Loving Vincent) helped bring this project to life by generously supporting us with their invaluable expertise.
So, what have we done?
Scriptwriting Competition
To find our five ‘Oxford Tales’ for the OUFF Film, we launched a Scriptwriting Competition open to all Oxford students. We received over a hundred submissions! The winners were chosen by Cleone and Mike, and announced during our 2025 Oxford University Short Film Festival. Congratulations to Molly, Eliza, Sam, Ella, and Erin for their incredible work!
Pre-Production
After choosing the scripts, we entered a pre-production phase. This included a script development session with Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester by the Sea, Gangs of New York).
Production and Post-Production
Over Michaelmas term 2025 and Hilary term 2026, our teams dived into filming and editing the films.
Hinkssie took the cast and crew to Hinkssie Lake at 6am in early winter. Food for Thought utilised the magnificant Mansfield College library at night. Freshers used bars and house parties to recreate the thrilling experience of Freshers Week. Free Drinks involved over 50 cast members and extras, while Thursday sought out non-student actors to convey the medical drama’s realism.
Premiere and Screenings
The Oxford Tales premiered at the Schwarzman Centre for Humanities in Trinity term 2026, accompanied with an introduction panel. The filmmakers were delighted to reunite and meet Mike and Cleone in person. The event was covered by Cherwell.
The Oxford Tales will be screened again at the Regal Picturehouse and the Phoenix Picturehouse in Michaelmas 2026.