Student Spotlight: Bella Echeverri – BA (Hons) Film Business & Production

Bella Echeverri is a final-year student on the BA (Hons) Film Business & Production course at MetFilm School Brighton. As she approaches graduation, Bella is already applying the course’s industry-focused training across producing, directing, and entrepreneurial development.

Producing your graduate film

Bella is currently producing her graduate film, A Gentle Apocalypse, which she wrote in the summer of 2025. While the course specialises in all stages of production, from development to franchise, she has also stepped into the role of director, embracing the opportunity to develop as a multi-hyphenate creative.

“I’m currently producing my graduate film ‘A Gentle Apocalypse’ which I wrote in the summer of 2025,” Bella explains. “My course specialises in all stages of a film’s production, from development to franchise, with a key focus on producing. However, we have the opportunity to be ‘multi-hyphenate’ creatives, as I’m also directing my graduate film.”

One of the most rewarding aspects of the process has been collaboration.

“I’ve enjoyed assembling a team and collaborating with other creatives who are passionate and skilled.”

Alongside the creative work, Bella has taken an entrepreneurial approach to bringing the project to life, raising over £600 through crowdfunding in just three weeks, marketing the film on social media, and actively utilising her professional network.

“I’ve also enjoyed pursuing the production of this film in an entrepreneurial way, by raising over £600 from crowdfunding in 3 weeks, marketing the film on social media, and making the most of my network.”

Learning from industry professionals

Bella describes the course as offering valuable insight into how the film industry operates, particularly through teaching led by active industry professionals.

“This course has provided me with critical insight into the film industry. It is great that all of our lecturers are active members in the media or film industry.”

She highlights sessions with entertainment lawyer Emma Topping as especially impactful, providing access to real industry experiences.

“Emma Topping, an entertainment lawyer, has given us valuable experiences such as introducing us to the Commissioning Editor of Channel 5 (Kit Morey), booking a trip to watch Stranger Things: The First Shadow stage play, and showing us real film industry documents.”

One of the biggest surprises for Bella has been learning about the legal and commercial foundations of filmmaking.

“I was surprised to learn about intellectual property, copyright, contracts, deals and how that all relates to the success of a film and franchise. This isn’t the type of information you’d expect to be taught, so I feel better to enter the film industry with this knowledge.”

She has also enjoyed the course’s focus on entrepreneurial development and its transferable skillset.

“I’ve enjoyed the focus on entrepreneurial development. Whilst the course is steered towards film, we also discuss TV series’, stage plays, and business management. So the skills we learn can be transferred into whatever business path we pursue in the future.”

Inspiration and influences

Bella credits her support network as a key source of encouragement.

“I have a great support system, such as friends, family, peers and lecturers, who are encouraging and inspiring.”

Creatively, she draws inspiration from a wide range of filmmakers and lifelong film influences.

“My personal inspiration comes from all the film influences throughout my life and film industry creatives, such as Wong Kar-Wai, Jordan Peele and Steven Spielberg.”

Hands-on industry experience

Alongside her studies, Bella has gained hands-on experience across television and feature film production. In the summer of 2025, she worked with ITV on Grace Season 6 after applying through MetFilm School’s work experience programme.

“I had one week, where I was in the production department for 3 days and the AD department for the final 2 days.”

Following this placement, she was invited back in a paid role.

“After this week of work experience, the ITV team reached out and asked me to come back as a dailies crew member – Floor Runner (which was paid!). It was great to see how an active production functions.”

She later worked as Marketing Assistant on Jamie Patterson’s feature film Second Serve.

In addition, Bella has remained actively involved in short film productions through the MetFilm School network, collaborating with MA students and peers from across different year groups.

Looking ahead

As she prepares to graduate, Bella remains open to a wide range of opportunities within the industry. While writing and directing have long been creative ambitions, her experience on the course has also strengthened her confidence in managerial roles.”

She is particularly drawn to storytelling with social impact.

“I am most drawn to powerful stories that inspire audiences. I am fascinated with the magical realist genre and have a goal to inspire audiences through fictional media. I believe the representation of characters and storytelling impact society, which can be used for the greater good. This is something I hope to achieve.”

Passionate about film and how it’s produced?

Applications for our BA courses through UCAS are still open, with a late application deadline of 31 January. The best way to learn more about studying with us is by joining one of our Open Days, where you can meet staff, students and explore our campuses.

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