Our Team

Kellen Playford

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Kellen founded the festival in 2009 after discovering a lack of platforms in the regions for filmmakers to showcase their work. He has an MA and a BA in film, and has spent the last decade promoting Norwich as a filmmaking hub, while also finding time to produce his own short documentary and creative projects.

He’s a big fan of films with great music, but not so much a fan of musicals.

Craig Higgins

OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Craig has been involved with festival for several years – first as a volunteer, then a film reviewer, then an operation and events coordinator. He became co-director in 2015 and has been responsible for many of the expansion developments since then.

He’s a film lover and a keen advocate of short films. He has also been a voting member with BIFA and the Watersprite Film Festival.

Matt Ecclestone

FESTIVAL PRODUCER

Matt graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Norwich University of the Arts in 2013. He joined the festival as a volunteer in 2014 with previous experience working in contemporary art galleries, an artist space and within a creative agency. He is a big fan of meandering, open-ended indie movies, the underdog genre, and of course, short films.

Siobhan Ennis

PARTICIPATION MANAGER

Siobhan joined the team in 2016 and helps with a plethora of jobs from event management to administration of the festival. She is currently in charge of managing volunteer and audience participation within the festival.

She loves film enjoys reviewing short film submissions due to the variety on offer.

Michelle Lillie

PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR (EVENTS)

Michelle joined the team in 2017 after being an enthusiastic attendee of the festival. She was impressed with the level of creativity and quality of the films being shown and wanted to be more involved.

In 2017 she changed career to study and practice art. She enjoys all creative arts and is fascinated by the  ‘behind the scenes’ and production processes. Her favourite genre of film is science fiction.

Charlie Hunt

PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR (SHORTS)

Charlie joined the team in 2018. His role involves judging film submissions, contributing to the selection process, and writing event reviews for the NFF website.

He has a particular interest in films that explore social justice issues and moral dilemmas. He is a full-time student in Philosophy and Politics at the University of East Anglia and writes film reviews for Concrete, UEA’s student newspaper. He also works as a carer for children with learning disabilities.

Keith Saunt

FUNDING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

After a long career in Formula One, and with a plethora of film courses under his belt, Keith joined the NFF team of volunteers in January 2017. He is looking to build long-term relationships between the very best local companies and the festival over the years to come.

Keith consults for various financial institutions concentrating on “Sports-related investments” and runs a Change Management company based in Norwich.

Keith is also on the board of trustees.

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