Students meet creative stars at Bankfest Writing Festival

The Bankfest Writing Festival ran from October 9 to October 11 and was held at venues across Bridport including the Electric Palace, Bridport Arts Centre and the Literary and Scientific Institute.

Around 30 students from the Sir John Colfox Academy in Bridport, alongside other local schools, had the opportunity to meet TV stars, playwrights, journalists and music stars. 

Amongst the guests was actor Ben Willbond, known for his roles in the shows Ghosts and Horrible Histories, award winning playwright Aaron Kilercioglu, communications expert Paul Trueman and TV screenwriter Chesca Forristal, who has worked for Disney, Netflix and Amazon Prime on big budget productions like Marie Antoinette. 

Ben Willbond at Bankfest Writing Festival (Image: Sir John Colfox Academy) Other speakers included rap star Isaiah Dreads, journalist Isabel Brooks, novelist Evie Wyld, poet and memoir author Chimene Suleyman and Joe Cornish of The Adam and Joe Show, who also wrote for Marvel's Antman and the 2011 Steven Spielberg film The Adventures of Tintin. 

Students had the opportunity to attend different workshops with the speakers, which gave them insights into the industry, as well as opportunities to write and work with successful and famous creative people.    

Three talks were held each day where students from Years 10, 11 and the Sixth Form got the chance to go on stage and help lead a question-and-answer session with the speakers,

Evie Wild at Bankfest Writing Festival (Image: Sir John Colfox Academy) Seren, age 14, said: ‘Bankfest was exciting. I loved getting to meet everyone and hearing about their jobs and thoughts. I found it really inspiring.”

Another student described it as an "exciting experience" with one saying it helped to rekindle their love for creative writing. 

The festival was organised by the Bank of Dreams and Nightmares, a Bridport-based charity aiming to nurture creativity in young people. 

Adam Shelley, Headteacher of the Sir John Colfox Academy, added: “This was an inspirational experience for our students, it was a brilliant festival and the students’ feedback shows how they enjoyed it and got a lot out of it.   

“We are incredibly lucky to have the Bank of Dreams and Nightmares, huge thanks to them and to Festival Curator Rebecca de Pelet,  for creating such an amazing experience for so many of our students.”