SESSW Professional Services colleague Christopher Whiteside received two awards for his latest short film, Feint (2024), at the Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival hosted by Queen’s University. Feint was acknowledged as the top film in the categories for ‘Best Editing’ and the ‘Northern Ireland Star Award’. Christopher holds an MA in Writing for Script and Screen from Falmouth University. He co-directed and produced the film with his wife Madeline Whiteside, MA in Arts Management and PG Diploma in Cinematic Architecture. Feint is a drama with psychological horror elements and tells the story of Zoe, a young boxing coach struggling with her mental health and the burden of running the family boxing gym whilst caring for her younger sister under the shadow of their terminally ill mother’s fate.

The Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival (EAFF), hosted by Queen’s research students, celebrates and promotes independent and arthouse cinema. It provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase diverse works, fostering appreciation for non-mainstream films. The festival engages audiences through screenings, discussions and workshops, creating a vibrant community of enthusiasts and creators. Established to bridge Eastern and Western cultures, EAFF highlights rich cultural heritage and perspectives and is driven by Queen’s University Belfast Language Centre, the School of Arts, English and Languages, and the China-Europe Youth Film Society.

Over the past decade, Christopher has co-directed several short films with Madeline. Both coming from a fine art background, they have degrees in Fine & Applied Art and have exhibited their works in local art galleries and international film festivals. Their notable works include "The Goblin Market" (2014), "The Erlking" (2017) and "Violet" (2019), which won ‘Best Foreign Film’ at The Canadian Diversity Film Festival. Together, they aim to create compelling narratives that resonate with audiences, showcasing their unique artistic vision and dedication to filmmaking.