Meet the Team

Director

Melanie (she/her) is a film curator and cine-activist. Before joining the team in 2021, Melanie was Deputy Director of Sheffield DocFest, and prior to that Director of Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival. Her exec credits include REBEL DYKES and Jury positions include the Teddy Awards at Berlinale.

Head of Audience Engagement

Aashna (she/her), originally from Toronto, is a film curator, writer, and multi-media artist, with a virtuosity for community engagement. She's worked with Into Film’s UK-wide festival, and previously at Regent Park Film Festival, Breakthroughs Film Festival, and Hot Docs in Toronto. She’s committed to promoting equity in the industry and platforming stories of marginalized identities.

aashna@reclaimtheframe.org

Communications & Administration Coordinator

Tember (she/her) is a digital marketeer from Saint Lucia. She drove engagement and brand growth as Marketing & Communications Coordinator at Regent Street Cinema and amplified initiatives as Social Media Coordinator for the Cultural Development Foundation. Tember holds a Bachelor's degree in Digital Business Management from the University of Westminster.

tember@reclaimtheframe.org

Training & Content Manager

Simone (she/her) has worked in the film industry for over 20 years in various roles in story development and training.

simone@reclaimtheframe.org

Data & Research Manager

Tom (he/him) has been with the charity since 2017 leading on research, data, statistical analysis and evaluation. After a music career in his twenties, Tom completed a PhD in Film History (‘The New Hollywood Historical Film 1967-78’) before going on to teach at the University of London.

tom@reclaimtheframe.org

Access & Inclusion Consultant

Charlie (she/they) is a deafblind access consultant working in film exhibition. Based in Edinburgh, Charlie is an in-house consultant at Matchbox Cine, where she advises cinemas, festivals, and other film organisations on access and inclusion for Deaf and disabled audiences.

charlie@reclaimtheframe.org

Finance Officer

Victoria (she/her) has been working in the arts and culture sectors for the last 15 years, managing the finances for a variety of charities and non-profits within the visual arts, dance, theatre, digital and festivals. She has a BA in Art History, and an MA in the Visual Culture of Ancient Antiquity.

accounts@reclaimtheframe.org

Events Producer

Oli (she/her) is an experienced projects producer and curator with in-depth knowledge of film festivals, site-specific arts programming, and hybrid events. She has previously worked with the London Korean Film Festival, Austrian Cultural Forum, Human Rights Watch Film Festival & Sheffield Doc/Fest, and two Europa Cinema venues among others.

oli@reclaimtheframe.org

Impact Producers

We work with Impact Producers across the UK to de-centralise the curation and delivery of Reclaim The Frame, in recognition of our belief that impactful connections and outreach is best achieved through local relationships and lived experiences in the cities we work in.

Asma Kabadeh

Yorkshire

Asma (she/her) is a creative producer with a background in developing collaborative arts initiatives. As a natural facilitator, Asma enjoys creating spaces to bring people together to discuss, experiment and create. Passionate about making art accessible for all, she continuously strives to increase access and participation, in artist development and audience engagement.

Daljinder Johal

Midlands

Daljinder (she/her) is a producer, curator, marketer and writer in film, theatre and audio. She's passionate about making joyful and thought-provoking work often platforming underrepresented communities.

Robyn Lawrence

South West

Robyn (she/her) is an arts worker and avid consumer of films and arts events. Having worked across the country, she has a passion for facilitating peoples enjoyment and interaction with film, events and the wider arts.

Rui Jin

South East

Rui (she/her) is committed to boosting access & participation of the historically excluded in all parts of the film industry chain. Rui works with the BFI FAN's New Release team as the freelance marketer in the South East and is also founder of Brighton Community Cinematheque.

Sammy Holden

North West

Sammy Holden (they/them) is a filmmaker, artist and film educator from Lancashire and Liverpool. As Impact Producer, they bring experience of programming, producing and promoting screenings and symposiums across the North West. They are currently completing a PhD in Film by Practice on support for non-binary and transgender people in film.

Sandra Kinahan

Scotland

Sandra (she/her) is a freelance film promoter, writer, and editor with a background in international film sales, marketing, and curation. She believes in respecting audiences - their right to choose and to be challenged - and aims to connect every film with its natural fans.

Sarah Gregory

Wales

Sarah (she/her) is a writer, TedxSpeaker, event organiser, campaigner and script doctor. She is passionate about finding platforms for unheard voices and inclusivity within filmmaking.

Tresca Mallon

Belfast

Tresca (she/her) works in film curation and production in Belfast. She is especially interested in documentary filmmaking which expands the boundaries of form and perspective and is dedicated to curating events that contribute to communities that are often excluded being a part of shaping the city’s engagement with cinema.