We recently caught up with second year Film, TV and Digital Production student, Caitlin Robin, who has been nominated for an award at the Independent Directions Film Festival for her documentary on female sexual liberation.
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? What you study and what year you’re in?
I’m Caitlin, and I’m originally from a small town in Northern Ireland. I’m coming to the end of my second year studying Film, TV and Digital Production, and I have a passion for making documentaries about diverse subjects.
2. What made you choose to study film?
I chose to study film because I love telling stories that I'm passionate about and being creative with a camera. My degree challenges me and encourages me to be as eccentric and imaginative as possible, and providing me with the opportunity to network with my fellow classmates and make contacts for the future.
3. We hear you’ve been nominated for an award at the Independent Directions Film Festival for your documentary on female sexual liberation. Could you tell us how this came about and a bit more about the award?
Once I completed the documentary looking at the current sexual liberation of women, it was a project that I genuinely felt proud of and wanted to share the message. I decided to try my luck by applying to a few festivals, simply with the aim of getting my film out there to potential audiences. Then I heard back from the Independent Directions Film Festival saying that I'd been granted Official Selection in the 16-19 category. The INDIs Awards celebrate up-and-coming filmmakers with the added bonus of potential winners receiving up to £750 worth of prizes, which is amazing!
4. What do you enjoy most about creating videos and documentaries?
I always want to make documentaries that reflect something I’m genuinely passionate about or subject which lacks representation in film. I love using my passion to make films as a way to project social messages and give minorities a voice, and maybe even give a better insight into topics which are not discussed enough.
5. Can you tell us a bit more about your role as an Internal Communications Intern?
I work as an Intern within the Internal Communications department as a Video Editor, which fits perfectly with my studies and provides me with amazing experience right here on campus. As someone who was a terrible waitress, I am grateful for the opportunity of having an alternative part time role on campus which I enjoy and I feel I am good at.
6. What’s your favourite video that you’ve created in the past?
In the past year I’ve been working on an ongoing documentary following the fight for equal marriage rights in Northern Ireland. This is by far my favourite because it’s so personal yet also so incredibly necessary to share this story from the perspective of an insider. I hope to finish this project within the next year, and hopefully even capture the moment in history that sees equal marriage rights granted.
7. What do you enjoy most about being a student at Royal Holloway?
I really love the close knit community here at Royal Holloway, it’s so easy to make friends and you get to know everyone on campus so easily. I also personally find my course so engaging and the Media Department always makes me feel inspired to work on new projects and constantly stay busy to make the most out of my time here.
8. You may have seen our latest recruitment campaign, ‘Find your why’. We are interested to find out what Royal Holloway has helped you to discover about yourself…
Royal Holloway has helped me to recognise that I am confident in what I do and how I can use my ability to make films to bring light to relevant social issues. Being at Royal Holloway has encouraged me to engage with societies like the LGBT+ Society and has shown me that I can create films with a message using the facilities so easily accessible at University.