BT Sport to air film made by local students

BT Sport is airing a short film at 6pm on Sunday (28 November) that’s been created by students from Newham Sixth Form College. The film is part of the BT Sport Takeover community initiative that provides local students with no prior TV experience access to an eight-week course to learn the fundamentals of sports TV.

The course teaches the students how to film and produce a television programme and culminates in the screening of that film by BT Sport.

The short film screens during The BT Sport Takeover show, presented by broadcaster Henrie Kwushue and the Takeover creators.

The initiative comes under the BT Sport United commitment, which looks to champion positive social change in three areas – community, inclusivity and sustainability. These form the structure for the film the students have created:

• Inclusivity – An examination of the challenges women face in the world of sport, and what solutions are being put in place to ensure a more inclusive environment
• Sustainability – How a school in Chiswick tackled a serious local air pollution problem through the installation of a living green wall
• Community – An investigation into the communities of esports and physical sports and how accessible they are to those with disabilities

Jamie Hindhaugh, BT Sport chief operating officer, said: “BT Sport is honoured to showcase the remarkable work of these exceptional young people. The outcomes produced from their time with our team is remarkable. A huge thanks goes to this year’s Takeover creators for their hard work and passion throughout the process. This is the third year of BT Sport Takeover; it will remain an essential part of our commitment to promote growth in diversity in the broadcast industry and to give opportunities to the East London community.”

Kimberly Swainson, student, added: “I heard a lot about the BT Sport Takeover opportunity from previous year groups and I’m so glad I got to experience it for myself. The course really equipped me with more knowledge in filmmaking, building my confidence through shadowing the amazing staff there and watching a project grow from start to finish. I am so grateful to BT Sport and NewVIc for this chance, it truly has broadened my thoughts to all the career options within the industry.”

Maria Kelesidi, media teacher, Newham Sixth Form College, said: “We are truly in awe of what our students have been able to produce from their time with the BT Sport team, not least because it has really widened their perspectives on how London is represented in the sporting sector through exploring the crucial issues of inclusivity, sustainability and representation as a community. We continue to give our biggest thanks to the BT Sport team for allowing to make this all possible.”