La La Land dream comes true

Screenwriting BAFTA-Fulbright Award for alumna

An early career writer/director and script supervisor is to study at one of the world’s most celebrated film schools.

Amid stiff competition and a competitive acceptance rate of just 4%, Rebs Fisher-Jackson (BA 2020, English Literature) has been selected to study the Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting at UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film, and Television.

Having worked in the British film and television industry for the past 5 years, Rebs’ studies in the heart of Hollywood seek to compliment her film credits, as well as her long-standing commitment to encouraging diversity within the film industry.

The BAFTA-Fulbright Award makes her dream possible.

Rebs is thrilled to progress her aim to create films that spark social change at home and beyond, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community. She explained:

“I’m excited to see how UCLA challenges me, and to learn how to use my voice to not only tell diverse stories, but also how to make a meaningful impact in challenging the motion picture industry to become more accessible and diverse on an international level.

As a working-class filmmaker and first-generation university student, I’m extremely grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had to elevate my education. Receiving the BAFTA-Fulbright award this year isn’t just fulfilling my life-long dream of studying in the USA, it’s enabling me to obtain a world-class international education and cultural experience.”

US-UK Fulbright Commission executive director Maria Balinska said:

“Our vision is a world where there are no obstacles to learning, understanding and collaboration. Today there are many global challenges to overcome, and the world needs compassionate leaders to tackle them. This cohort of postgraduate awardees will be placing cultural engagement at the heart of their experiences as they undertake ambitious study and research programmes in the US: I am filled with hope for the wonderful collaborations that will ensue.”