MetFilm School graduate wins BAFTA for short film ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ 

Former MetFilm School student Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer won a BAFTA this year for producing the acclaimed short film Rock Paper Scissors.

After completing the BA Practical Filmmaking course at MetFilm School London, Hayder began working in the screen industries before continuing his training at the National Film and Television School (NFTS), where he produced  Rock Paper Scissors  as his graduation film.

In his acceptance speech at the BAFTAs, to a packed Royal Festival Hall, Hayder held up his BAFTA and said to the stars of the film industry:

“Storytelling shapes how we see the world and each other. Its power reaches beyond the screen. It transforms lives. To the dreamers who find escapism in cinema – this is for you. And to those who need to hear it, you make the world a better place.”

Set against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,  Rock Paper Scissors  is based on a true story and was developed in close collaboration with Ukrainian communities. The film follows Ivan and his father, who run a makeshift hospital on the frontline. When enemy soldiers close in, Ivan is forced to make a difficult choice to protect his father, their patients, and what they stand for.

Tense and immersive, the 21-minute short offers an unflinching look at survival, sacrifice, and the cost of conflict. At its core is a powerful message: in war, those we call ‘heroes’ are often the ones who simply refused to do nothing.

Hayder said he is drawn to stories of “wonder, inspiration, and the transformative nature of adversity”.

He described  Rock Paper Scissors  as a reflection of his approach to filmmaking – work that challenges perception and explores how we make sense of the world.

Having experienced homelessness as a young person, he said he draws on lived experience and is inspired by how hardship can shape identity and perspective. For him, cinema is a form of escapism, a way to connect, uplift, and give voice to those facing adversity.

His production company, WHO’S HERE? PRODUCTIONS, backs films that aim to combine emotional depth with cinematic scale and explore the sense of wonder that keeps audiences coming back to the big screen.

“Each story is designed to resonate and endure,” Hayder said.

He is currently developing a slate of feature films and television projects under the company’s banner. “We’re interested in hopeful, uplifting stories that challenge audiences through intelligent storytelling … stories of adventure, stories of the underdog,” he added.

MetFilm School Director Jonny Persey added, “Hayder’s story as a graduate of MetFilm School is so inspiring. Not only has he gone on to work in industry before electing to further his education at the NFTS, but he has also produced a phenomenal film, set up an ambitious company, and to cap it all, stood up in front of a room packed with the great and good of the industry and spoke strongly and proudly about what it is to be a filmmaker. In doing so, he expressed perfectly the essence of our values as a school.

Step into your future 

If you’re ready to bring stories to life and want to graduate industry-ready in just two years, BA (Hons) Practical Filmmaking (2-Year Accelerated) offers a fast, focused route into the heart of the screen industries.

You’ll leave not just with a degree, but with a body of work, industry contacts, and the confidence to make your mark behind the camera.

Ready to join us?

Explore our London campus, come and see us at our next Open Day.

Contact our Admissions Team on 01273 096406 – or email us at admissions@metfilm.ac.uk – for any questions and to discuss your options. We can’t wait to welcome the next generation of London filmmakers!