Meet our Ones to Watch for 2025

Congratulations to Dinah Naitamu (aged 18) from London, England, Indi (aged 15) from Waterlooville, England, and Michael Smith (aged 18) from Newton Aycliffe, England, who have all been named Ones to Watch (sponsored by EON Productions) at the 2025 Into Film Awards. The award was presented by Safiyya Ingar and Ebada Hassan.

Our Ones to Watch awards spotlight those young people who have already achieved great things and who we believe are destined to be the future of the UK screen industry. This year, the Ones to Watch prize offers the winners the opportunity of career progression support through BAFTA, which includes involvement with the annual Young BAFTA Showcase in November 2025. The three Ones to Watch will also receive a cash prize of £1,000 each.

Find out more about our inspirational and talented Ones to Watch below.

Dinah Naitamu, aged 18

London, England

Dinah is a director, writer and actor who is currently attending the London Screen Academy. Her biggest goal is to increase opportunities for underrepresented groups, both in front of and behind the camera, and tell stories that are often excluded from the mainstream. In 20 years, she wants to be halfway to EGOT status (winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony award), and working with the likes of Zendaya, Quinta Brunson and Ayo Edebiri.

"I strive to create so much in the industry, whether I'm in front of the camera, directing, writing or producing - so receiving this award and career progression support means I'll get to share so much more with the world", said Dinah.

"Opportunities in the industry can often be elusive, and breaking in can feel impossible to many, so I hope to write nuanced roles for underrepresented groups in my projects, play a wide range of characters you don't usually see black girls play, and when I'm more experienced, create grants / opportunities for those who may have difficulty breaking into the industry."

Indi, aged 15

Waterlooville, England

Indi is one of only two people to receive multiple nominations at this year's Into Film Awards. He was also nominated at last year's Into Film Awards for his film film Saving Yourself (and the World), which went on to be nominated for several other film festival awards, including the Horsham Film Festival. Indi is a prolific filmmaker who has already created two horror films and a short production for his Film Studies GCSE this year, as well helping a local drama group create and edit a series of short films. This year he plans to enter more film festivals, including Brighton Rocks, and aspires to one day have a film shortlisted by the Sundance Film Festival.

"I am firstly so happy that I have been selected as a Ones to Watch for Into Film", said Indi. "It gives me a lot of confidence in my filmmaking and inspires me more to pursue a career in this industry, which is perfect! I am also over the moon that I have been nominated for my film Vacation and I'm super excited to attend the Awards. Filmmaking is so important to me because it is a great way to express emotion and tell stories, so the fact that Into Film celebrates young people doing this is fantastic."

Michael Smith, aged 18

Newton Aycliffe, England

Michael started making films at just 8-years-old, and by 16 his first feature film, documentary Streets of Steel: The History Of Witton Park, was screened at Witton Park Village Hall in January 2024. The positive response he received from the local community underlined how important and successful his commitment to unearthing hidden histories has proved.

Continuing in this vein, Michael has recently been commissioned by Teescraft Engineering and councillors from Durham County Council to create a documentary on the Stockton and Darlington Railway to celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2025. This dedication to working with and in his local community is also apparent in Michael's work with Kynren (an outdoor theatre event) and the Hardwick Live music festival. 

Michael has also volunteered as a videographer for Bishop Auckland FC for the past 5 years, filming matches and conducting post-match interviews.

"I've accepted the Ones to Watch award with great privilege and relish", said Michael. "The prospect of even being considered within this category has hugely impacted whether I want to make filmmaking a full time career. Whether it be a writer, or a director of feature films, it wouldn't seem like work - more a blessing."