Goldfinch Academy CIFF Award Goes to Meera Mistry, Joshua Cleary (EXCLUSIVE)

Goldfinch Academy, set up by the production company Goldfinch, has revealed the recipients of the inaugural Goldfinch Academy CIFF Award, in collaboration with the Cine International Film Festival and the University of Roehampton. The initiative combines financial support with mentorship to boost emerging British filmmakers.

The recipients are Joshua Cleary, third-year undergraduate at the University of Roehampton, who was awarded £3,000, and Meera Mistry, postgraduate alumna of the University of Roehampton, who was awarded £2,000.

The awards will be presented at the CIFF Gala Awards on May 10 at the Karma Sanctum Soho Hotel. Each bursary provides funding for professional skills training and access to industry-grade equipment.

Cleary and Mistry will also receive one-on-one mentorship and tailored career development; guidance in developing their own original content projects; paid work placements within the Goldfinch network; access to a network of industry professionals; and guidance toward further skill training and real-world opportunities.

In addition to the bursary, Goldfinch is launching a wider initiative in collaboration with the University of Roehampton, which includes a Goldfinch Academy Mentorship Program, pairing students with leading industry professionals; sponsorship of a new film finance course, introducing essential financial literacy for creative careers; and an annual masterclass lecture, featuring top-tier speakers from across the creative industries.

Gauti Sigthorsson, deputy dean (arts) at the University of Roehampton, said: “We are thrilled to see our students selected for this honor. The Goldfinch Bursary is an encouraging step toward building a more accessible and inclusive film industry and we in the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences are proud to play a role in shaping that future.”

Kirsty Bell, founder of Goldfinch and the Goldfinch Academy, added: “This bursary is about more than just financial support. It’s about giving emerging talent the resources, the right connections, and a clear path forward. We’re excited to see where Joshua and Meera go from here, and proud to be part of that journey.”