Benjamin Crawford | Filmmaker

Benjamin makes films at the intersection of contemporary moving-image, narrative and non-fiction cinema. Based in New York City, he also works with organisations and artists to produce sought-after, compelling videos.

He explores the boundaries of documentary to create work that explores the murky nature of identity and place, attempting to understand why things came to be the way they are.

Background

Benjamin has honed his craft across art school, media school, and a film & television department. In the 15 years or so since embarking on this journey, he has gone on to make films that challenge convention, tell evocative stories, and get selected for awards.

‘From the End of the Road’ – his graduation film from a part-time Master of Arts Degree, earned him a high distinction and screened in film festivals and galleries.

As part of his undergraduate degree – BA (Hons) Fine Art from the University of Kent, he was trained in Directing, Cinematography and Documentary Photography at Marmara University, Istanbul. For examples of his photography, visit here.

Internationally exhibited

Benjamin’s films (in the portfolio) have been shown internationally in both gallery and cinema contexts, including: Maison de l’Art et de la Communication, France; Flatpack Festival, UK; New Art Gallery Walsall, UK; Midlands Arts Centre, UK, and Turner Contemporary, UK; where his films were displayed for the prestigious Platform Graduate Award.

Commercial

Benjamin has extensive experience making films for the cultural sector. His academic training, professional experience and artistic insight gives him the unique ability to create sought-after content. Working closely with institutions, artists and collaborators, Benjamin’s intuitive and thoughtful films have been shown in festivals, exhibitions and online.

Until spring 2023, he was employed as Creative Digital Producer at the pioneering Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham, UK, where he led on media production across the organisation. He has worked in crews in film and television, and has vast experience across the arts, in education, research, curation and workshop facilitation.

MA Film and Television: Research and Production (part-time)
University of Birmingham, 2019-2021

BA (Hons) Fine Art with approved year abroad
University of Kent 2011-2015

Marmara University, Istanbul, 2013-2014

Advertising with Marketing Communications
Certificate in Higher Education
Bournemouth University, 2008-2011

From the End of the Road screened at Magic Cinema, Artefact, Birmingham. 2022

Nominated for Best Documentary (From the End of the Road), Midlands Movies Awards 2022

From the End of the Road selected for West Midlands Open, New Art Gallery Walsall, Walsall, 2022

From the End of the Road – World Premiere, Flatpack Festival, 2022

Maryam Wahid: Zaibunnisa | Artist Introduction, Midlands Arts Centre, 2022

Dark to Light, Exploding Cinema, 2020

Locked-Down, Oddball Space, 2020

Platform Graduate Award, Turner Contemporary, 2015

Wetlands, Medway, Kent, 2015
Founding member/exhibiting artist

Shortlisted for Medway’s Culture, Design and Tourism 2015 award
£5000 University of Kent 50th Anniversary Student Project Grant winner
£1500 Medway Community Scholarship winner
Financial and other in-kind support from various organisations

Degree Show, Chatham History Dockyard, University of Kent, 2015

51zero Voyager – The Other Side of Here
Maison de l’Art et de la Communication, Sallaumines, Lens, France, 2015

Showroom, Bay Furniture, Gillingham, 2014

The Playground Collaborative, Sun Pier House, Chatham, 2013

Twenty14 Presents: The Loft, Sail and Colour Loft, Chatham Historic Dockyard, 2012