A young Leicester-based filmmaker is set to walk the red carpet after being nominated for a national award for his film which taps into modern insecurities around AI.
Ben Melocha, 19, will attend ‘Into Film’, the annual ceremony for the UK’s leading showcase for young, filmmaking talent, which will take place on June 24.
Hosted by actor, presenter and author, Rose Ayling Ellis MBE, the glitzy ceremony will take place at Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square. In the past it has been attended by some of the biggest stars in the industry including Daniel Craig, Eddie Redmayne, Charles Dance and Simon Pegg.
Ben is nominated in the ‘Best Story’ category for his film ‘Deadlines’, which follows a put-upon office worker who lashed out and discovers something sinister and unsettling about her office computer.
Described as a ‘smart, David Cronenberg, inspired horror,’ Deadlines taps into modern insecurities around AI and the replaceability of humans in the face of ever-advancing machines, as well as commenting on the faceless, sterile nature of some corporate jobs, and the mental health struggles that can arise when work becomes overwhelming.
The film was written, directed, produced and edited by Ben for his A-level film project, with friends helping as actors and runners. Ben is now in his first year of an undergraduate film course at Falmouth University and recently worked as a producer for a short film as part of it, collaborating with a crew of fellow students.
Ben said; “Being nominated was quite a surprise, and really exciting. It’s a joy to be able to share a project I was so passionate about. Filmmaking as a medium encourages and fosters such a collaborative and creative environment and involves a diverse range of skills and techniques coming together, which I really enjoy immersing myself in.”
The Awards, sponsored by the UK film industry, celebrates young people’s creativity in film, showcasing and highlighting the wealth of tomorrow’s creative talent. This year’s other nominated films cover a wide range of compelling and timely subjects for young people including mental health, the war in Ukraine, gender identity, neurodivergence, multiculturism, feeling disconnected and isolated in modern society, nature conservation, immigration and identity, looking after an unwell parent, the need to stop scrolling on social media, and much more.
Discover the rest of the nominees and watch all the nominated films on the Into Film website – https://www.intofilm.org/news-and-views/articles/into-film-awards-2025-nominees
