Team
Michael Stewart
Director, Open City Docs
Michael is responsible for sustaining and renewing the underlying vision that drives Open City Docs. He runs the Future Media Studio at UCL which works with Open City Docs School to deliver film training at all levels. He is an anthropologist and spent a number of years in Broadcast production (Everyman, Timewatch, BBC).
ContactChloe Trayner
Festival Director
Chloe is responsible for the direction of the festival as well as industry programming, partnerships and development. Chloe is also responsible for Assembly, a project-based intensive workshop for international filmmakers working on their first or second feature. She has worked as a film & events programmer and producer with organisations such as BFI Future Film Festival, Overnight Film Festival, UnderWire Festival and Bertha DocHouse. Likes books.
ContactOliver Wright
Director of Film Programme
Oliver is responsible for the festival’s film programme, as well as our year-round screening events. He has been involved with the festival since its inception and has been programmer since 2014. Oliver has also worked on a number of other film festivals including BFI London Film Festival, LSFF and Underwire Festival.
Jess Franses
Festival Producer
Jess works across the production and delivery of the festival. Other recent festival work includes the Overnight Film Festival, BFI Flare and the BFI London Film Festival. Otherwise, mostly found listening to A Guy Called Gerald's 'Voodoo Ray'.
ContactMatt Turner
Marketing Manager
Matt is responsible for marketing Open City Docs' activities, including the festival, school programmes and year-round activity. Matt is also a freelance writer and programmer.
ContactOpen City Docs School Team
Angela O'Regan
Schools Manager
Angela is the first point of contact for students interested in studying on the Open City Doc Schools MA and MFA, and is responsible for assisting those who are studying.
ContactLaurence Avis
Technical Manager
Laurence is the technical manager for the Open City Docs school, and a shorts programme advisor for the festival. Recently, he has also worked in screening coordination and technical delivery for other festivals including BFI London Film Festival and London Short Film Festival. He also records music under the name 'Big Larry Avis'.
ContactAndrew Northrop
Technical Assistant
Andrew is the technical assistant for the Open City Docs school, and also a marketing assistant for the festival. He also writes regularly for MUBI Notebook, Kinoscope, Cineaste and other outlets.
ContactRipley Parker
Short Course Manager
Ripley is responsible for managing the Open City Docs School short courses, as well as assisting with the students studying on the MA and MFA.
ContactHelen MacKenzie
Immersive Coordinator
Helen is responsible for managing the equipment for the UCL360: Studio 4 - Immersive Factual Storytelling strand of the MA and for the Expanded Realities exhibition at the festival, and for leading journeys into the world of VR.
Contact