Greenwich film graduate Emily George blew BAFTA judges away when they shortlisted her film The Whale Bowl in 2018. From an early age Emily was always interested in making films and being diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 15 years old only intensified her ambition to work professionally in the film and television industry.
Taking Media Studies at A-level was Emily’s first step towards her goal, however teachers discouraged her from studying film, reasoning that she should be taking ‘more academic’ subjects instead. “But, I thought, ‘Life’s too short not to pursue my dreams’”, she explains. “I knew I wanted to be an editor. Having a wake-up call like cancer really makes you value your time”.
During an open day at Greenwich, she realised she had her heart set on studying here. “The second I stepped on the campus, I thought. ‘This is where I want to be”.
After gaining experience at some of the UK’s leading media production companies including Mother, Envy and Betty, Emily began work on her final year project, The Whale Bowl.
Her documentary tells the story of Lolita, an orca kept in the world’s smallest whale tank, and her sole 49-year confinement. It has been screened to audiences at film festivals around the world and was shortlisted for both BAFTA and Grierson student awards.
Emily jokes that it felt surreal to be nominated for an award in which David Attenborough featured in other nomination categories.
After working as a Finishing Editor at Channel 5 and Video Editor at CUBE™, Emily is now a VFX/Versioning Editor for LEAP (Loveurope and Partners).
