Freelance Film Maker

TOTNES W BRIDGETOWN PCC; Totnes; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A local community organization in Totnes is seeking a freelance filmmaker to lead a heritage project involving young people. The role includes facilitating creative workshops and guiding the group through filmmaking while producing a film that reflects their perspectives. Candidates should have experience working with youth, strong communication skills, and a portfolio of community-focused projects. This is a paid position with a total budget of £2,250 for workshops and editing.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of working with community groups, creating engaging environments.
• Portfolio of film work showcasing previous community or youth-led projects.
• Local knowledge of historic sites in Totnes is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate creative workshops with young people.
• Guide participants through the filmmaking process.
• Produce a final film reflecting young people's voices.

Skills

Working effectively with young people

Strong communication skills

Collaborative approach

Patience

Job description

Position Summary

St. Mary’s Church, Totnes are seeking a community-minded filmmaker

As part of the Uplift Project, we are seeking a freelance experienced and community-minded filmmaker to collaborate on an exciting new heritage project working with a local youth organisation. This project will explore and celebrate the young people's response to St. Mary's Heritage and the wider history of Totnes, through the creation of a high-quality short film led by young people.

Responsibilities

The selected filmmaker will work with a group of young people, supporting them to develop their skills in storytelling, filming, possibly interviewing and editing. The role involves facilitating a number of creative workshops, guiding the group through the full filmmaking process, and producing a final film that reflects the young people’s voices, perspectives, and research into local heritage.

After training sessions the young people will do the filming and the filmmaker will have trained them to edit their initial footage. The filmmaker will do the final editing to make a finished film that will be shown in the community.

Due to school times, we are hoping the project can start in February half term (for an initial first session with the young people) and then again at the beginning of the Easter holidays, possibly continuing in the summer holidays.

Requirements

We are looking for someone with a proven track record of working effectively with young people or community groups who can create an engaging and empowering environment for participants. Strong communication skills, patience, and a collaborative approach are essential.

Applicants must also demonstrate a portfolio of film work, including examples of previous community or youth-led projects, documentary-style films, or creative work that showcases their skills in visual storytelling. Ideally the person will be local or familiar with the area, with local knowledge of historic sites and Totnes.

We will require you to have a DBS (basic) and we can pay for and process that. We will need to see references and you must have your own insurance to work as a freelancer.

Compensation & Details

This is a paid position (funding through a National Lottery Heritage Lottery Grant) and the current budget is £750 for three workshops and £1500 for editing. Some costs may be negotiable, though can’t be guaranteed, as this is subject to funding.

How to Apply

In the first instance, if interested, please email the activity co‑ordinators (Jess Langton and Grace Deathridge) a copy of your CV and links to a portfolio or website. We would also appreciate a covering letter detailing why you are interested in the project and what you can bring to it - maximum 500 words.

Contact

Email: [e-mail]

Deadline: Sunday 4th January 2026

We would like to talk to interested parties in the week beginning 12th January.