The Leadership Team
Who We Are
Samantha Castro
Founder & President
After moving to Newcastle in 2019, Samantha wanted to find a group of filmmakers to collaborate with. When she couldn't find a group, she decided to make one. Samantha has worked on feature films, short films, documentaries and factual TV for BBC Two, Channel 4, and Channel 5. She currently works as a Podcast Producer for a local podcast studio in the Ouseburn.
Samantha aspires to work as EPK for high end TV & Film, entertaining people with the magic that goes on behind the scenes.
Contact Sam via:
Alastair Railton
Vice President
Alastair has been passionate about writing and directing from a young age, bringing his ideas to life on screen by exploring modern social issues through dystopian storytelling. He has written and directed several award-winning films, including Between the Divide, Voice of Belief, The Prison, Unknown Caller, Through Emerald Eyes, and Conviction Without Remorse, as well as the feature film False Front, available on Amazon. As the Director of the England International Film Festival and owner of Fresh AIR Films and Media, he is dedicated to supporting new creatives in the industry, believing that great filmmaking is all about forging a deep emotional connection with the audience.
Contact Alastair via:
Cat Burnett
Secretary
Cat is a low-budget writer director.
Passionate about comedy, she aims to specialise in comedy script writing and continue to grow in the craft of directing. She has been secretary since 2024 and loves being part of this community where lasting collaborations and friendships are made.
Contact Cat via:
Hazal Ozeren
Treasurer
Hazal is an actor and producer who has worked in film and theatre across Turkey, Sweden, and the UK. She was the producer of The Shedding, Newcastle Film Club's annual film for 2024, as well as numerous other films within the club. Now, she is working very hard on raising funds for the next NFC film - while praying to the old gods and the new in the A Song of Ice and Fire Universe.
Amy Mains
Events Manager
Amy is entering her third year as part of the leadership team at Newcastle Film Club. Originally tasked with improving the club's social media presence, her role has since evolved to focus on expanding the event offerings. This year, she will be stepping into the role of events manager, with the aim of enhancing networking opportunities and establishing the club as a hub for Newcastle's filmmaking talent. In addition to her work with the film club, Amy is a teacher, writer, and mother of two, and she is looking forward to what the year ahead will bring.
Contact Amy via:
MJ Murray
Social Media Chair
MJ is our social chair for 2025-2028. They're interested in writing and directing everything from comedy to the most depressing films you've ever scene. Their goal in 2025 is to bring more opportunities to NFC members in a marketing capacity.
Contact MJ via:
Joao Lazaro
Education Officer
João Lazaro is a Brazilian artist, filmmaker, and educator with a passion for supporting people’s development through filmmaking workshops. Specialising in film editing, he excels at tackling complex projects, transforming ideas, footage, and timelines into cohesive narratives. Since January 2024, he has been working at Newcastle University in content development and filmmaking. His key interests include community filmmaking, post-production, documentary-style films, journalism, and media literacy.
Contact João via:
Jacob Easton
Kit Manager
Jabob is a movie enthusiast with an ever growing love for filmmaking. Passionate about collaboration, learning, and sharing creative ideas with a supportive community of film lovers. He is looking forward to helping members with their projects.
Contact Jacob via:
