The short film titled A Woman of Good Abilities will have its world premiere at the 79th Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) in August, where it has also been nominated for the Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence, worth £15,000. The film was written and directed by the University of Greenwich academic Dr Mark Chapman.
The film is a research project funded by the British Film Institute’s Locked Box initiative alongside support from the Greenwich Research and Innovation KE4 Impact Fund and the Centre for Creative Futures. Taking place from 13 – 19 August, EIFF is one of the UK’s leading film festivals, with the Thelma Schoonmaker Prize representing one of the most prestigious accolades for short-form filmmaking. The film will be screened on the 14th and 15th of August in separate locations.
The film centres on Rachel, a night worker and heroin user, whose fragile support network begins to unravel when she is accused of stealing from a delivery driver, forcing her to confront the realities of addiction. Through its narrative, A Woman of Good Abilities explores the intersections of labour, class and mental health, offering an alternative perspective on addiction beyond more traditional depictions.
The project forms part of an extended programme of research-led creative practice, developed in collaboration with mentors and service users at Gateshead Recovery Connections. Its production combined professional actors with non-professional performers, using innovative casting and rehearsal methods to amplify underrepresented talent.
The project was also an opportunity to further research-informed teaching. Four University of Greenwich students completed work experience on the film and received their first professional credit.
Film and TV Production student Felix Selwanes said:
"It is pertinent that students are able to gain real, hands-on experience on professional productions. This, for me personally, has strengthened and steered my goals and wants for my future creative path. It reignited my want to pursue film. Working on A Woman of Good Abilities with Dr. Mark Chapman, gave me an insight specifically into directing, and how to engage and get the best from, your actors. I immediately wanted to demonstrate this in my own work and was given a renewed drive for my final project."
The film has delivered tangible impact beyond the screen. Production created 40 short-term roles in the North-East of England, supporting skills development and contributing to regional growth in the film and television sector.
A Woman of Good Abilities stars Vinette Robinson (Boiling Point, Sherlock) and BAFTA-nominated James Nelson Joyce (This City Is Ours, A Thousand Blows), with a creative team including cinematographer Susanne Salavati BSC, editor Chiara Armentano and sound designer Tim Harrison. The film is produced by Carley Armstrong (True Moon Pictures) and executive produced by Prano Bailey-Bond and Ben Taylor.
The film’s recognition at this year’s EIFF highlights the University of Greenwich’s continued commitment to research-informed creative practice, supporting diverse talent and driving meaningful impact across the creative industries.
