Carmel College student Gabriel Yates has earned national recognition after winning the Youth Creative Award at the University of Leicester’s Festival of Media Stories, an international celebration of emerging film talent.
Gabriel, who studies Film Studies, English Literature, and Politics at Carmel, entered the festival after discovering it on FilmFreeway. What began as a promising opportunity quickly became a major milestone.
“I saw it as a great chance to meet like-minded young filmmakers.” Gabriel explained. “It felt like the perfect opportunity to share my work, connect with others passionate about film, and gain experience presenting my coursework to a wider audience.”
His coursework film, Rhubarb, impressed a panel of University of Leicester film professors, earning him the top spot in his category. The competition was fierce, with entries arriving from across the world, including The Last Ranger (2024), an Oscar-nominated long-form film, and a powerful Serbian documentary Breaking Point by 18-year-old Lazar Jovanović.
Winning among such strong international contenders was, Gabriel says, “a huge surprise and an incredible honour.”
A Haunting Story with Dark Humour at Its Core
Gabriel’s film Rhubarb tells the story of a retired veteran whose quiet rural life is disrupted when a tense encounter dredges up long-buried memories. Blending dark comedy with slow-burning drama, the film explores how ordinary moments can spiral into absurd or unsettling situations.
“My inspiration came from my love of dark comedy and absurdist narratives,” Gabriel said. “I’m fascinated by the humour in things usually taken seriously, the kind that makes you laugh and cringe at the same time.”
From Rainhill to Carmel: A Creative Journey
Before joining Carmel College, Gabriel attended Rainhill High School, where he also received recognition for his media coursework, winning the school’s iMedia achievement award. At Carmel, he says he has found an environment that nurtures creativity and ambition.
“Studying at Carmel has really helped me grow as a filmmaker,” he shared. “The teachers encourage you to push your ideas further while giving you the technical skills to bring them to life. Having access to professional equipment and a creative environment has made a huge difference.”
He credits much of Rhubarb’s refinement to the support of the Film Studies department, particularly his tutor, Paul Morrow.
“Paul gave me excellent feedback on my script and really helped me refine the structure,” Gabriel said. “I also got great advice on lighting and camera work, which helped make Rhubarb look more polished.”
A Bright Future in Film
Looking ahead, Gabriel plans to study English at university while continuing to make short films. His ambition is to work in the film industry, ideally as a director or editor, and eventually complete an MA in Directing Fiction at the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield.
With Rhubarb already earning international recognition, this budding filmmaker’s journey is only just beginning.
Carmel College can proudly say they’ve played a part in nurturing one of the North West’s most promising young creatives!
Film out more about studying A Level Film Studies at Carmel College
