Youth judges are preparing to announce the recipient of the youth jury award as part of an annual international documentary festival in Sheffield.

This year marks the 20th year of Sheffield DocFest Youth Jury Programme giving them the role to curate a selection of films, gain industry skills for 18 – 23 year olds.

Jagraj Singh, a 20-year-old filmmaker and youth juror, said: “Being a juror means your perspective genuinely shapes what gets recognised.

“My voice brings a perspective shaped by identity, community, and what it means to be a young filmmaker from the North who didn’t take the traditional university route.” 

The jurors attend workshops and connect with industry professionals unique to Sheffield. 

Mr Singh said: “DocFest being in Sheffield means everything to me, having a world class documentary festival on my doorstep as a filmmaker is something I don’t take for granted.”

Youth jurors must use their knowledge from the industry experts to have their say on the nominations for the award. 

Youth juror Sadie Coll, said: “The main opportunity has been the role itself, it has put me in the room with so many incredible industry professionals in a way I don’t think I ever could have imagined like having workshops with BAFTA award winning producers like Andy Mundy-Castle. 

“Being from the north and from Sheffield it makes DocFest feel extra special, as a film maker having a internationally regarded documentary film festival right on my door step feels so monumental.” 

The film festival values how diversity and inclusion are conveyed not only in the films watched but also with who gets to watch them.

Shae Beckford, also a youth juror, said: “For me personally, I am queer, black, working class and female, the multiple demographics that make up who I am add to the need for representation within art.

“I always think of where the gaps are in our world, are voices being shown and seen.” 

Youth Juror Clemintine Cunningham said: “Young people are often overlooked in politics and art in all aspects of society despite progression coming so often from those voices.

“DocFest acts as a median which actively engages with both as well as so much of documentary opting to amplify unheard voices.”

DocFest will feature 104 films from around the world and takes place from 10-15 June.