UWE Bristol filmmaker wins BAFTA Student Award

Nikki Dodd, a UWE Bristol MA Wildlife Filmmaking student, has won a 2025 BAFTA Student Award – a global competition which celebrates the next generation of talented and innovative storytellers.

This prestigious competition, now in its 21st year, has become a global platform for recognising emerging voices poised to shape the future of the screen industries.

Nikki won the BAFTA Student Award for Best Documentary for ‘One Last Farm’ which she produced, directed and shot. It tells the story of Yew Tree Farm – Bristol’s last working farm, run by third-generation farmer Catherine Withers. The farm is her home, her livelihood, and her community, and besides producing locally grown, organic food, the farm’s grasslands and ancient hedgerows serve as a habitat for diverse wildlife. Nikki followed Catherine's journey over the course of a year as she fought to protect her nature-friendly farm from development.

“As a filmmaker with a passion for nature, I’m drawn to stories about our relationship as people with the planet,” said Nikki. “And so, when I first read about Yew Tree Farm in a news article, it immediately sparked my interest.

“I was struck by how this small farm is addressing so many interconnected challenges. It’s contributing to local food security, producing healthy food free from chemicals, creating a haven for wildlife, all at the same time as contributing to community wellbeing by providing access to green space.

“And when I learned that the farm was threatened by development, I thought the story would make a compelling film, and I wanted to share the story of the farm with a wider audience.”

A British-American filmmaker, Nikki will graduate from UWE Bristol’s MA Wildlife Filmmaking course in July. On winning the BAFTA Student Award for Best Documentary, she added: “I’m deeply humbled and grateful to receive a BAFTA Student Award. As the director, producer, and cinematographer of One Last Farm, I really poured a lot of myself into the project. It required a huge amount of dedication, so it’s very rewarding to have that work acknowledged.” 

Universities and colleges worldwide were invited to submit their best projects for consideration for the awards; BAFTA members viewed a record breaking 1,000 submissions spanning 154 schools across 39 countries, with Nikki’s documentary chosen as the winner in her category from a shortlist of three.

The winners were announced on Friday, 13 June, in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. The ceremony featured the finalists’ films and projects which were selected and voted on by industry professionals from BAFTA’s membership. This is the second consecutive year a UWE Bristol MA Wildlife Filmmaking student has won the documentary category of these awards.

“We are thrilled to once again celebrate some of the most promising and original work coming from student creators around the world,” said Courtney LaBarge Bell, Executive Director, BAFTA North America. “This year’s winners exemplify the global nature of storytelling today – and reflect the kind of artistry that is reshaping our industry. We’re especially excited about the expanded programming we’ve introduced for students this year, which we hope will serve as a valuable tool for learning, connection, and launching meaningful careers in the screen industries.”

UWE Bristol’s MA in Wildlife Filmmaking, which was co-designed and is accredited by BBC Studios NHU, is immensely successful with 94% of its graduates finding employment each year.

Nikki received support through The Pryde of Women in Business Award, which celebrates the bold, brilliant ideas of female and non-binary student entrepreneurs at UWE Bristol. Created in partnership with alumna Emmie Runciman, the award offers up to £5,000 in funding alongside tailored business coaching, mentoring, and peer support to help early-stage ventures thrive.