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Hey FilmSoc! My name is Cerys Hawkes, I’m 19 and I’m re-running to be your President again next year! I’m going into my third (and final) year studying English Literature and Film Studies. Being your President this year has been the highlight of my University experience, I have thoroughly enjoyed dedicating my time to improving your society experience by spending the majority of this year focusing on helping to create meaningful connections and friendships between students. I, alongside the help of the wonderful committee, did this primarily by dramatically increasing our number of socials, collaborations with other societies and improving our communication with you through our social media and whatsapp channels!

My main goal for Film Society in 2025/2026 would be to continue and expand upon the solid foundations that we have laid at Film Society this year. I have learned so much and I would love more than anything to be able to take that knowledge, use my expanded resources and make Film Society even better for you; student satisfaction has and always will be my number 1 priority and I pledge to remain as dedicated to the society next year as I have been this year. I intend on achieving this by retaining an accessible screening and events schedule, expanding our range of events to become more inclusive, increasing our number of ‘audience picks’, and continuing to use subtitles at all screenings for the HOH. I want to dedicate a portion of this year to supporting student filmmaking, by helping to aid funds via charity events, and with my connections to the film industry I pledge to grant further accessibility to industry proffessionals for society members. Film Society will remain informative and communicative with its members, offering weekly schedule updates, notifying members to new events / ticket sales and continuing to cultivate a healthy community. This year, we have introduced the role of the welfare officer to ensure that as the society grows, it stays a safe space for all members.

As President, I have been able to ensure that we maintain a positive relationship with the Student Union, working with them for World Unite festival (and have maybe already started planning the GIAG in Sept/Oct that may or may not involve food and cinema), and maintaining a positive relationship with the School of Media in Clothworkers North, ensuring that we maintain access to the only cinema on campus, and I would love more than anything to be able to continue maintaining these trusting relationships.

Please do consider voting for me, I promise your vote will not be wasted!

My Extended Manifesto
☆ Increased audience picks for screenings, allowing for the society to remain accessible and enjoyable to all!
☆ Film Society trips outside of Leeds (Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle (my favourite cinema), BFI IMAX / London Trip)
☆ Continue and improve upon events held this year
☆ Having a more consistent structure to our events schedule, whilst maintaining both quality and quantity
☆ Listening to student feedback to improve and build upon the events themselves
☆ Having an even wider range of events - an increased amount of non-alcoholic socials, more ‘activity based’ socials
☆ Continue and improve upon our social media usage
☆ Further encouragement for engagement with our Letterboxd account
☆ Improvements to our WhatsApp channels to avoid bots + spamming whilst remaining informative
☆ Maintaining, improving and expanding relationships with other societies and establishments in Leeds
☆ Crossing my fingers for a Hyde Park Picture House screening next year!
☆ Retaining a balanced and accessible screening schedule
☆ Continuing our use of subtitles for the HOH
☆ Screening films no matter how popular or unpopular, no matter where the film was made and no matter the budget! Cinema is for all!
☆ Connections with industry professionals
☆ Increased Support for Student Filmmaking
☆ This year we’ve worked with LSTV filmmakers to help them secure funding they’ve needed to make their short films, I would love to continue and expand upon this