Spencer Hawken

Festival Director and

Co-Founder

A former filmmaker, critic and Giallo expert, Spencer has also worked in a number of TV roles over a 30 year career.

Spencer manages the festivals; including the film programme, partnerships, events and their day-to-day running.



Natalie Bays

Art Director and Co-Founder

Educated at Chelsea College of Art & Design, Natalie is a cultural project manager with a vast knowledge of visual arts, events and community engagement.

As well as leading on the Festival's brand and design, she organises sponsorship, volunteers, comms and the bar!

Bradley Barton

Selections Committee

Bradley has written a diverse range of short and feature length scripts on a variety of subjects. He is passionate about filmmaking and has to date been active in the roles of writer, producer and director on several short films.

Peter Blunden

Selections Committee and Interviewer

A Romford resident AND a Master in World Cinema, Peter's biggest interests are in Japanese cinema, the European arthouse, and auteur directors. A festival pro - he has worked on the London East Asia and London Short Film Festivals, as well as Frightfest.

Daniel Smales

Videographer

As well as featuring on Hull's "Hotlist" Daniel is a trained actor and an experienced videographer and editor.

Daniel originally worked on the Romford Film Festival in year 2. He returned in 2023 for Romford Horror and has been heading down from Hullywood ever since.

Kevin Haldon

Selections Committee and Online Session Host

Kevin is a huge independent film fan, promoting indie film through Nerdly Out Loud and 365Flicks Podcasts. In 2020 Kevin carried out hundreds of hours of online interviews with filmmakers during "the new normal".

Rodolfo Cordeiro

Projectionist and DCP Creator

Romford Film Festival's lynchpin, Rudy is Premiere Cinema's Projectionist. He works feverishly on the weeks up to the festival, fitting the selected films into the schedule, and converting the films ready for projection.



Louise Barton

Selections Committee

Louise is a keen film fan, with a passion for filmmaking. Currently studying for a degree in the art of film, Louise has made a number of short films during the duration of her studies and written a number of screenplays, actively working as a script  supervisor. 

Carrie Kendall

Selection Committee and Videographer

Carrie is a filmmaker and photographer with an MA in Film Studies. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and has a strong affinity for horror films and documentaries.

Charlotte Bays

Online Content Creator

Charlotte is a Master of Philosophy & The Arts from the University of Warwick. She is also a Master of books, musicals, memes and existential crises.

Charlotte will be writing content for the festival website and monitoring the progress of films and filmmakers we've shown over the years.  

Gill Bays

Event Co-Ordinator

Gill is the welcoming face of the festival. She looks after everyone, including our volunteer team, making a keen cup of tea and checking in festival guests upon arrival.

She's also the person to know to get the best Festival Merch!

April Goldsmith

Events Assistant

April will most likely be one of the first faces you see when you arrive at Romford Film Festival, she'll check you in, give you your pass and later make you a killer cocktail.

April is joining us in 2024 for her second year. But if you want to talk to April you'd better bring your best banter, as she's the queen of the comeback.