Published on: 09 June 2022 in Events

About Challenge ALEXA

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Directors UK has been running Challenge ALEXA in partnership with ARRI since 2011.

The challenge gives Directors UK members the opportunity to win an ARRI shooting package, with access to the latest equipment, including the ALEXA Mini LF and Signature Prime lenses.

Following a successful pitch, our members create a short piece of work based on their interpretation of a theme that differs each year.

Each year, the challenge showcases our members talents through a range of approaches, styles and genres.  and show a real range of styles and genre approaches.

Take a look back at the films from previous Challenge ALEXA competitions, and read interviews with the directors, who share their processes and craft below.

Challenge ALEXA 2020 — 2022

The members taking part in Challenge ALEXA from 2020-2022 were Will Kenning (Tap Boy), Renzo Vasquez (Trigger), Carolyn Saunders (On Island WestLucy Campbell (For Heidi), David Allain (Revelations) and Emily Greenwood (Stop Dead). The theme for the contest was “Freedom”.

Find out more about how the directors made their Challenge ALEXA-winning films.


Challenge ALEXA 2019

This year, Directors UK members Ashtar Al Khirsan (Shawafa), Karen Kelly (Chips), Fi Kelly (The Last Mermaid), Emma Swinton (Unearthed), Natalia Andreadis (How Can I Forget), and Zoe Dobson (The Cunning Man) were tasked with creating a film based on the theme of “Magic”

Find out more about how the directors made their Challenge ALEXA-winning films.

Find out more about this year’s Challenge ALEXA-winning directors. 


Challenge ALEXA 2018

In 2018, Directors UK members Robert Hackett (Special Delivery), Lotus Hannon (Unseen), Claire Tailyour (Belittled), Beryl Richards (Hello Stranger), Miranda Howard-Williams (Evie), and Stewart Alexander and Kerry Skinner (The Bicycle Thief) created works based on the subject of “Delight.

Find out more about how the directors made their Challenge ALEXA-winning films.


Challenge ALEXA 2017

In 2017, “Anniversary” was the theme tackled by our members AD Cooper (Home to the Hangers), Nicola Quilter (Prawn), David Beauchamp (Cicatrix), Paul Murphy (Gypsy’s Kiss), Vicki Kisner (Pulling) and Sami Abusamra (Our Father). This was the first time Challenge ALEXA had introduced a theme to the competition. 

Find out more about how the directors made their Challenge ALEXA-winning films.

Watch trailers some of the 2017 Challenge ALEXA-winning films below.

Cicatrix (trailer) by David Beauchamp

Home to the Hangers (trailer) by A D Cooper


Challenge ALEXA 2016

In 2016, Challenge ALEXA featured filmmakers Chris Chung (Soho Jimbo), Jan Dunn (Sacred Country), Richard Elson (The Sound of Fear), Simon Gibney (The Mixture) and Douglas Ray (The Swing of It). 

Find out more about how the directors made their Challenge ALEXA-winning films.

Watch examples of the 2016 Challenge ALEXA-winning films below.

Soho Jimbo by Chris Chung

Sound of Fear by Richard Elson


Challenge ALEXA 2015

This year’s Challenge ALEXA-winning filmmakers were Auroroa Fearnley (Murmur), Rhys Powys (Beat the Odds/Curo'r Bwci promo), Emma Sullivan (Find Your Feet), Emma Lindley (Red River), Aimee Powell (Drift).

Find out more about how the directors made their Challenge ALEXA-winning films.

Watch examples of the 2015 Challenge ALEXA-winning films below.

Red River by Emma Lindley

Think You Can Beat the Odds? by Rhys Powys


Challenge ALEXA 2013

Watch examples of the 2013 Challenge ALEXA-winning films below.

Close to Heaven by Martin Denham

Be Yourself by Richard Elson

Challenge ALEXA 2011

Watch examples of the 2011 Challenge ALEXA-winning films below.

Dartmoor Killing promo byPeter Nicholson

MatchHead by Ian Barnes

Recession by Beryl Richards


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