It is hard to believe a whole year has passed since Pentabus Theatre’s last release of the ArtFlicks projects, but a year it has been.
So, here we are a year later… and Pentabus and Rural Media have announced the release of the Pentabus National Young Writers ArtFlicks projects for 2025!
These ArtFlicks projects are from eight emerging writers who have been mentored and supported by both organisations to each create three 90-second films that will be released across the Art Flicks TikTok Channel.
These ArtFlicks projects have been brilliantly successful, having received over 1.25 million views on TikTok alone, and former young writers following this have then gone on to be Olivier and Tinniswood nominees! With that being said, who knows where these new emerging artists’ work will lead them after this?
If you want a reminder of last year’s ArtFlicks, you can find them here: https://www.tiktok.com/@art_flicks
Not only are these ArtFlicks projects a fantastic way to get new writing out into the world, but these free films ensure these stories and this new writing are accessible to as many people as possible. With almost everyone being able to access the internet, this is a great way for everyone to be able to watch new writing, for free!
About these ArtFlicks films, Joanna Freeman, Head of Engagement at Pentabus, said, “In every swipe, a story unfolds – brilliantly told and ranging from the hilarious to the edgy, political and heartfelt. These short digital films present the voices of a new generation, and we couldn’t be prouder of our Young Writers. We know they’re destined for brilliant careers that will shape the future of film, theatre and beyond.”
The films this year that will be released include:
- From Scottish writer Eilidh Nurse, Drifters, starring Gary Lewis (known for previous work such as Billy Elliot and Gangs of New York).
- From East Anglian writer Emma-Louise Howell, The Victim, The Flowers and The Reveal,
starring Adam Wadsworth (known for previous work in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, West End) and Sidonie
McClaren, who is a recent RADA graduate. - ANALOGUE: Vol #1, #2 and #3 is brought to you by Welsh writer Jacob Ethan Tanner (who was recently seen in
Backstairs Billy). - Lucy Heathcoate, a disabled writer, brings you Swallow – and not only is she the writer, but she stars in it too.
- From Newport-based writer Mackenzie Steed, The Last Excuse, starring Cerian Baulch
(from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama) and Kerry Joy Stewart (known for previous work in Port Talbot Got A Banksy, Sherman and tour). - Noor Sobka’s Railway, News and Dating Show.
- Liv, Lash, and Love by Roisin Ann Bonar, a Welsh writer and graduate of Pentabus Local
Young Writers. - Katie Walker-Cook brings you Keepsakes: The Champagne, The Flowers and The Shoes.
These ArtFlicks videos will be released over the next eight weeks across Rural Media’s ArtFlicks Channel, and you can watch them here: https://www.tiktok.com/@art_flicks
Now, the names of those whose writing is behind these films may sound familiar. That is because I shared the announcement that they were to be Pentabus’ 2025 writers earlier this year. You can read that post here: https://oneshowatatime.co.uk/2025/04/29/theatre-news-pentabus-announces-their-2025-national-writers/
Noor Sobka described this National Young Writers Programme as “an amazing, invaluable opportunity. I’m so sad it’s over. I hope I can continue to create comedy across theatre and screen and I’m looking forward to seeing the amazing things my cohort and this fantastic organisation do.”
With such a range of writers and stories being showcased, there is bound to be something for everyone, and I, for one, cannot wait to watch all these films and see what these writers have created!
Mackenzie Steed, writer of The Last Excuse, commented about the ArtFlicks project, “It has been a career changing experience for me to expand my craft.” Additionally, Jacob Ethan Tanner, writer of ANALOGUE: Vol #1, #2 and #3, said “I got the chance to work in a genre I love, but have never been brave enough to tackle”, which in itself shows what an amazing opportunity these projects are.
Pentabus and Rural Media have been collaborating since 2021, with their digital work winning prizes and reaching wide audiences. Both organisations are committed to nurturing rural voices and championing bold, original storytelling. Pentabus has been running Young Writers for 11 years and has launched many careers in the arts. Recent graduates include Rhys Warrington, who has been commissioned as part of the Welsh National Theatre’s debut season, Chloë Lawrence-Taylor, whose show Personal Values ran earlier this year at Hampstead, and Kit Withington, whose play Heart Wall comes to the Bush next year and who was commended for the Tinniswood award for her Radio 4 Drama Nearly Light.
It is companies and projects such as Pentabus and ArtFlicks that get new writing heard and help budding writers get a start with their creativity and get their work out there.
Rachel Lambert, ArtFlicks Mentor and Creative Producer at Rural Media, commented, “ArtFlicks has always been a space for creative people to stretch different muscles and test themselves and the audience. The parameters across social media platforms are tight and its audience is ruthlessly demanding; thirsty for the new, the bold, and the challenging. Yet our creators never fail to deliver, and this tranche of young writers is no exception. We have loved working with them and can’t wait to see what they get up to next – watch this space!”
Who knows what these writers will all go on to do next, but if these films are anything to go off, then the future seems to be very exciting indeed.
And if you are reading this, wondering if this is something you may be interested in for your own writing…well, good news – the applications for the 2026 National Young Writers cohort will open this winter at pentabus.co.uk/national-young-writers.
One Show at a Time 