Image (Left – Right): Julianne Gazzingan, Sadie Coll, Jagraj Singh, Clementine Cunningham and Shae Beckford
We are delighted to announce our 2026 Youth Jurors!
Five young film enthusiasts will make up our Youth Jury cohort for Sheffield DocFest's 33rd edition, taking place across Sheffield from 10–15 June 2026.
This year marks the 20th year of the Sheffield DocFest Youth Jury Programme, a milestone that reflects two decades of bringing emerging voices into the heart of the festival. As part of the programme, our 2026 Youth Jurors will curate a selection of films for this year's Festival, connect with industry professionals and select the recipient of the 2026 Youth Jury Award, presented at the Sheffield DocFest Awards Ceremony.
This year's cohort brings together filmmakers, producers and graduates with a shared belief in the power of documentary to move people, spark debate and imagine new possibilities.
Meet our 2026 Youth Jurors
Shae Beckford (she/her)
Shae is a film producer inspired by the world around her, with a passion for bold and creative storytelling rooted in meaningful representation on screen. She is always searching for compelling stories and values collaboration with creatives who share a commitment to authenticity, innovation and impact.
What are you most looking forward to?
"I am most looking forward to being in a creative space with amazing people, watching some great films and being a part of an exciting course in providing opportunities for many independent filmmakers!"
Sadie Coll (they/them)
Sadie is an emerging filmmaker from Yorkshire and a BA Film and Creative Writing graduate from Lancaster University. Across documentary and fiction, they believe film has the power to move and connect people. For Sadie, storytelling can open up conversations, encourage empathy and push both social change and personal growth.
What are you most looking forward to?
“I am ecstatic for this opportunity, as a local I have been attending the festival for many years now and so I am most looking forward to seeing the festival through a new lens as an active participant in its impactful curation.”
Clementine Cunningham (she/her)
Clem is a local Sheffielder and Documentary student at Newcastle University. Her love of film comes from its ability to connect the personal with the universal. Alongside her studies, she helps organise Newcastle's student cinema, Ballroom 24. She is particularly drawn to experimental and reflexive documentaries that question and expand the form itself, exploring not just what stories are told, but how they are told.
What are you most looking forward to?
“I’m excited to watch the latest documentaries from not only all approaches to documentary but from all over the world as well as being able to learn about the industry from an inside perspective. With the opportunity to represent and platform young people, like myself, point of view.”
Julianne Gazzingan (she/her)
Julianne is a Filipino International Relations graduate from King's College London. She sees documentary as a space to imagine radical futures, and her work and research sit at the intersection of the creative sector and public policy. She is drawn to global majority and queer cinema, seeking intimate stories that challenge dominant narratives and reshape how we understand the world.
What are you most looking forward to?
“I’m super excited to immerse myself in Sheffield’s collective energy, exchanging ideas with radical thinkers. I can’t wait to discover bold, untold stories and have my perspectives transformed by diverse voices. And of course, build lasting connections with fellow documentary enthusiasts and industry pioneers.”
Jagraj Singh (he/him)
Jagraj is a young filmmaker and cinematographer working across documentary and narrative forms, creating visually grounded, character-driven work. He developed his craft through hands-on filmmaking at the NFTS and BFI Film Academy. His work reflects a strong visual rhythm, a close attention to place and a thoughtful awareness of audience experience.
What are you most looking forward to?
“I’m most looking forward to learning how to see films the way programmers and industry do, and to engaging with fellow jurors as we weigh not just what’s good but what’s valuable, necessary, and worth representing. That process, for me, is where the most exciting learning lives.”
