Beyond the Awards

British Wedding Film Festival
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Beyond the Awards is the official podcast of the British Wedding Film Festival, featuring conversations with leading wedding filmmakers, nominees, winners and industry voices.

  1. 9 hr ago

    S01. EP.19. Handcraft Pictures - Why playing it safe won’t win awards

    In this episode of Beyond the Awards, Festival judge and acclaimed filmmaker Toby joins Joce and Jeff to lift the curtain on what separates award-winning work from the rest of the pack. Having reviewed hundreds of festival entries, and created history himself with one of the most-watched wedding films of all time. Toby breaks down what catches a judge’s eye in the first 30 seconds. We discuss why playing it safe is the fastest way to get overlooked, the subtle line between bold artistic choices and forced trends, and how to maintain authentic emotion when pushing your creative limits. If you want to know what it truly takes to create an award-winning wedding film, then this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: The 30-second rule: What grabs a judge's attention immediately and makes a submission stand out.Boldness vs. playing safe: Why taking creative risks pays off over generic templates.The trend trap: Why crowbarring in trendy effects like Super 8 or drone shots can hurt your film.Going viral: Toby's experience filming high-end weddings, and handling 41M+ views.Future-Proofing your style: Why raw, honest storytelling will always beat hyper-polished or AI-driven edits. The British Wedding Film Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GUEST Handcraft Pictures: handcraftpictures.com HOSTS Joce (Lune de Miel Studio): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lunedemielstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jeff (Jeff Wood Visuals): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jeffwoodvisuals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ VIDFLOW Deliver a premium viewing experience that looks professional and easily accessible on all client devices. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vidflow.co/britishweddingfilmfestival⁠

    S01. EP.19. Handcraft Pictures - Why playing it safe won’t win awards

  2. 31 Jul

    S01. EP.18. Storybox Cinema - Stop waiting for clients to find you

    In this episode, we’re joined by Chris, founder of Storybox Cinema, to talk about his decade-long journey from starting out small, to shooting multi-day, ultra-luxury weddings around the world. Today, we’re taking a peek behind the curtain of luxury weddings to talk about managing the elevated expectations of high-end couples and planners, and the reality of filming in world-class destinations. Chris shares the raw, real hustle behind his success, from sleeping in sketchy $50 NYC hostels with a black-tie suit in hand, to bolding his way into a high-end planner network. We also dive into why he shoots exclusively on RED cinema cameras, how he uses vertical reels as his primary creative outlet, and why face-to-face connection will always outperform Facebook ads. If you’re ready to back yourself and go after the work you actually want, then this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: How Chris leveraged his photojournalism/commercial background into high-end wedding films.The bold moves (and personalised video folders) that unlocked relationships with top global planners.Scaling Storybox: Transitioning from a solo filmmaker to building a global team of cinema pros.Why shooting on RED Komodos gives clients instant trust and simplifies his raw workflow.The Reel era: Shifting creative energy toward short-form vertical reels without sacrificing full-film quality. The British Wedding Film Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GUEST Storybox Cinema: storyboxcinema.com HOSTS Joce (Lune de Miel Studio): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lunedemielstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jeff (Jeff Wood Visuals): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jeffwoodvisuals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ VIDFLOW Deliver a premium viewing experience that looks professional and easily accessible on all client devices. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vidflow.co/britishweddingfilmfestival⁠

    S01. EP.18. Storybox Cinema - Stop waiting for clients to find you

  3. 17 Jul

    S01. EP16. Afterglow Wedding Films - Shaking up the traditional wedding edit

    In this episode of Beyond the Awards, we sit down with Jason from Afterglow Wedding Films to explore his journey from a heavily micromanaged corporate photography job to becoming one of Scotland's most innovative wedding videographers. Jason shares how a pre-lockdown epiphany gave him the freedom to break the traditional wedding video mold, moving away from slow-motion orchestral edits to inject genuine energy and personality into his work. We dive deep into the logistics and creative thrills of crafting highly unique, themed wedding films, including his award-nominated Wes Anderson teaser, an immersive The Office edit, and his upcoming Trainspotting and Halloween horror-themed projects. Jason discusses how he balances heavily directed cinematic aesthetics with preserving authentic, comfortable moments for the couple, and why the Festival left him feeling inspired for the season ahead. If you’ve ever wondered how to break the traditional mold and inject true personality into your creative work, this conversation is for you. The British Wedding Film Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GUEST Afterglow Wedding Films: afterglowweddings.com HOSTS Joce (Lune de Miel Studio): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lunedemielstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jeff (Jeff Wood Visuals): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jeffwoodvisuals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ VIDFLOW Deliver a premium viewing experience that looks professional and easily accessible on all client devices. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vidflow.co/britishweddingfilmfestival⁠

    S01. EP16. Afterglow Wedding Films - Shaking up the traditional wedding edit

  4. 26 Jun

    S01. EP13. Journal - The art of letting the frame breathe

    On this episode of Beyond the Awards, we're joined by Scottish wedding filmmaker Stevie, the creative force behind Journal. After 16 years as a photographer, Stevie recently transitioned his primary focus to film, bringing a unique philosophy centered on patient framing. Instead of relying on constant camera movement or hyper-polished staging, Stevie explains how holding a static shot, letting the clip breathe, and giving the couple physical space allows a deeper, more intimate story to unfold naturally. Inside this episode, we discuss:- The art of patient framing: Why Stevie prefers monopods, tight lenses, and long, unhurried clips over constant movement and quick cuts.The second narrative: How looking past the obvious timeline of a wedding day helps uncover the deeper story of why the couple is there. The photographer’s eye: How 16 years of composition and lighting experience served as a springboard for his documentary film style. If you’ve ever felt pressured to keep your camera constantly moving or want to learn how to trust the space within your frame, this conversation on patient filmmaking is for you. The British Wedding Film Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GUEST Journal Wedding Films: journalweddingfilms.com HOSTS Joce (Lune de Miel Studio): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lunedemielstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jeff (Jeff Wood Visuals): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jeffwoodvisuals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ VIDFLOW Deliver a premium viewing experience that looks professional and easily accessible on all client devices. ⁠⁠⁠⁠vidflow.co/britishweddingfilmfestival

    S01. EP13. Journal - The art of letting the frame breathe

  5. 19 Jun

    S01.EP12. Callenes Films - Mastering light to craft meaning and emotion

    In this special episode of Beyond the Awards, we sit down with Mathias from Callenes Films, winner of Best Cinematography at this year’s Festival. This episode was recorded in French and dubbed for our international audience. For Mathias, everything begins with light. From mastering natural and artificial light to creating emotion, atmosphere, and meaning within a frame, he explains how light has become the foundation of his visual identity. We also dive into his love of cinema, his use of anamorphic lenses, and his belief that the most powerful wedding films are driven by time, memory, and storytelling. Whether you're a wedding filmmaker, cinematographer, or creative storyteller, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and a fresh perspective on creating meaningful visual work. The British Wedding Film Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GUEST Callenes Films: callenes-films.com HOSTS Joce (Lune de Miel Studio): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lunedemielstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jeff (Jeff Wood Visuals): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jeffwoodvisuals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ VIDFLOW Deliver a premium viewing experience that looks professional and easily accessible on all client devices. ⁠⁠⁠vidflow.co/britishweddingfilmfestival

    S01.EP12. Callenes Films - Mastering light to craft meaning and emotion

  6. 12 Jun

    S01. EP11. JST Married - The art of intimate filmmaking

    In this episode, we sit down with Drew from JST Married, winner of Best Elopement Film at this year’s Festival. We venture into the raw beauty of the Scottish Highlands to discuss what it takes to craft an intimate, two-person story. We dive into how he manages the delicate balance between active creative direction and letting a couple’s day unfold organically without spoiling the moment. We also discuss the unpredictable realities of high-stakes outdoor filming, navigating intense elements, and what happens when a bride gets so freezing cold she calls it quits halfway through the shoot. Plus, we talk about the power of creative validation, pushing the boundaries of audio, and the legendary backstory of the time Drew worked alongside a pre-fame Calvin Harris in a local supermarket. This is an inspiring conversation about staying true to your artistic vision, adapting to the elements, and capturing the gritty, raw romance of the wild. The British Wedding Film Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GUEST JST Married: jstmarried.co.uk HOSTS Joce (Lune de Miel Studio): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lunedemielstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jeff (Jeff Wood Visuals): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jeffwoodvisuals.com⁠⁠⁠ VIDFLOW Deliver a premium viewing experience that looks professional and easily accessible on all client devices. ⁠⁠vidflow.co/britishweddingfilmfestival

    S01. EP11. JST Married - The art of intimate filmmaking

  7. 29 May

    S01. EP09. Mackenzie Wedding Films - From solo to studio: Building a team

    In this episode, we sit down with Scott from Mackenzie Wedding Films to talk about the journey from working solo to building a fully realised studio. Scott shares how he transitioned from being a one-person operation into leading a creative team, and what that growth really looks like behind the scenes, from finding the right people and building trust, to maintaining a consistent visual style and storytelling approach across every film. We also dive into how his background as a professional classical musician shaped the way he thinks about rhythm, emotion, and collaboration, and how those same principles now influence the way he runs his business and leads a team. This is a conversation about creative leadership, scaling with intention, and building a studio without losing the heart of the work. The British Wedding Film Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GUESTS Mackenzie Wedding Films: mackenzieweddingfilms.co.uk HOSTS Joce (Lune de Miel Studio): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lunedemielstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jeff (Jeff Wood Visuals): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jeffwoodvisuals.com⁠ VIDFLOW Deliver a premium viewing experience that looks professional and easily accessible on all client devices. vidflow.co/britishweddingfilmfestival

    S01. EP09. Mackenzie Wedding Films - From solo to studio: Building a team

  8. 22 May

    S01. EP.08. Molehill Media - Turning interviews into real stories

    This week on Beyond the Awards, we’re joined by Alex from Molehill Media, known for his interview-led documentary wedding films and winner of Best Use of Sound Design at the Beyond the Awards Festival. Alex shares how a deeply personal experience at his own wedding inspired his now-signature documentary style, built around interviews, real conversations, and immersive sound. From interviewing parents and grandparents to uncovering unexpected stories from guests, Alex explains why real voices can become the most valuable part of a wedding film years later. The conversation also dives into the practical side of this style: building trust with guests, handling overwhelming amounts of dialogue in the edit, and balancing creativity with the emotional responsibility of documenting people’s lives. Along the way, we chat about finding your own filmmaking identity, learning from international creators, the pressure that comes with awards success, and why being different matters more than following trends. The British Wedding Film Festival: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠britishweddingfilmfestival⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ GUESTS Molehill Media: molehillmedia.com HOSTS Joce (Lune de Miel Studio): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lunedemielstudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jeff (Jeff Wood Visuals): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jeffwoodvisuals.com⁠

    S01. EP.08. Molehill Media - Turning interviews into real stories
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About

Beyond the Awards is the official podcast of the British Wedding Film Festival, featuring conversations with leading wedding filmmakers, nominees, winners and industry voices.

Information

  • Creator
    British Wedding Film Festival
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © British Wedding Film Festival
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Awards

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