08.06.26
CELEBRATING CREATIVITY ON AIR: SUFFOLK SHORTS MEETS BBC UPLOAD
One of the greatest joys of running Suffolk Shorts is discovering and celebrating creative talent. Last week, that mission took us somewhere unexpected: onto the airwaves.
We were delighted when Beth Linnell, a BBC Essex presenter and producer, got in touch after reading about Suffolk Shorts and our special event, EAST X EAST, on our website.
Beth was standing in for Rob Jelly on BBC Upload, a regional programme dedicated to celebrating creativity across the East of England. Broadcasting on BBC Suffolk, Essex, Three Counties Radio, Cambridge, Norfolk and Northampton, it felt like a natural home for Suffolk Shorts during the build up to EAST X EAST.
Beth wanted to learn more about Suffolk Shorts, but she was particularly interested in hearing directly from one of the filmmakers involved in last year’s festival. We immediately thought of producer Rosie Robinson.
Claire (top right) and Rachel (top left) chatting with Beth Linnell, BBC EssexIf you’ve already read Rosie’s blog, you’ll know exactly why. Rosie speaks about filmmaking with a rare combination of insight, passion and generosity. It didn’t take long for Beth to recognise that too. Their conversation flowed so naturally that what began as an introduction quickly became the focus of an entire episode.
Together they explored Rosie’s journey as a producer, her creative inspirations, her award-winning film directed by Max Morgan, the role of women in film, and even Paddington! (Listen here). We were especially touched to hear Rosie speak so warmly about her experience at Suffolk Shorts. Hearing filmmakers reflect positively on the festival is always incredibly rewarding.
It also felt fitting that Rosie was given the spotlight. She is a talented, multi-disciplinary producer whose career continues to grow, and exactly the kind of creative voice that deserves to be celebrated.
Naturally, we assumed that would be the end of our involvement.
After all, Rachel and I are much more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it. We’ve always preferred the films to speak for themselves.
Beth had other ideas.
Recognising that Rosie had plenty to share in her Guest Uploader slot, Beth invited us to appear a few weeks later as her “Found Creatives.” The prospect was slightly terrifying. One of our ongoing challenges as a team is that I can happily talk about short films for hours, while Rachel often finds herself gently steering me back towards the original question. Thankfully, the interview was pre-recorded, and Beth proved to be the perfect guide.
As a passionate film lover herself, she brought warmth, knowledge and genuine curiosity to the conversation. What followed was less of an interview and more of a discussion between people who care deeply about storytelling and creative expression.
The experience reminded us of something important.
When you are part of a small team driven by passion, it is easy to exist within your own creative bubble. You celebrate successes together, navigate challenges together and sometimes reinforce each other’s doubts without realising it. Speaking to someone new, someone who has done their research but arrives without preconceptions, can be incredibly refreshing.
Beth’s thoughtful questions encouraged us to reflect on just how far Suffolk Shorts has come over the last six years. Her enthusiasm was infectious. Yet when she asked a seemingly simple question: “Are you proud of what you’ve achieved?” - both Rachel and I fell silent.
It took a little journalistic persistence from Beth for us to articulate why.
The truth is, there is one particular moment during the festival that captures everything Suffolk Shorts is about. It happens just before a screening begins. We’ve greeted filmmakers in the foyer. Volunteers are helping guests find their seats. The audience settles. The lights dim.
In that moment, there is an overwhelming sense of pride.
Pride in bringing together a community of creative, passionate people. Pride in showcasing exceptional short films from Suffolk and around the world. Pride in knowing that for some filmmakers, this may be the first time their work has been shown in such a beautiful cinema. Pride in creating a space where stories, ideas and voices can be shared and celebrated.
At its heart, Suffolk Shorts has always been about creativity—not only the creativity on screen, but the creativity that connects people, sparks conversations and inspires future projects through collaboration.
Our conversation with Beth ended up lasting far longer than the 20 minutes originally planned, so she had a hard job editing us down! We talked films, storytelling, creative journeys and the impossible task of choosing a favourite film (a question that, for me, has a different answer almost every day).
By the end of the conversation, one thing was clear: Beth has a remarkable talent for finding and telling stories. Her enthusiasm for creativity shines through in everything she does, and we have no doubt it will serve her well throughout what promises to be a hugely successful career.
In fact, we think she would make an excellent member of the Suffolk Shorts jury. We look forward to introducing her next year.
Author:
Claire Whittenbury
Claire is Festival Director and
Student Short Programme Lead of Suffolk Shorts
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