Hope's academic odyssey reached its pinnacle with the successful completion of a Master of Fine Arts degree in filmmaking from Columbia University, a world-renowned institution celebrated for its demanding programs and distinguished faculty. During her tenure at Columbia, Hope's artistic endeavors blossomed, as she conceptualized and brought to fruition three short films that received widespread critical acclaim and recognition.
Hope's thesis film, THE DAWN CHORUS, received widespread critical acclaim and was selected for exhibition at several esteemed film festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and the London Film Festival.
As a direct result of her outstanding cinematic achievement, Hope was distinguished with the honor of being named a Star of Tomorrow by Screen International, a prestigious recognition bestowed upon emerging talent in the film industry, signifying her exceptional promise and potential for future success.
Additionally, her remarkable work was featured as one of the '25 New Faces of Independent Film' by Filmmaker Magazine, a publication renowned for its coverage of innovative and groundbreaking filmmakers, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the film world.
Upon her return to the United Kingdom, Hope embarked on a creative journey, meticulously crafting a plethora of highly acclaimed short films for a diverse range of esteemed organizations, each renowned for their significant contributions to their respective fields. These prestigious entities included Channel 4, a prominent British public-service television broadcaster celebrated for its commitment to producing high-quality, informative, and entertaining programming for the masses.
The remarkable individual's inaugural feature film, "THE LEVELLING", was a highly esteemed production, having been selected for the esteemed iFeatures scheme, a prestigious platform that recognizes and supports innovative and promising filmmaking talent. The film's world premiere took place at the illustrious Toronto International Film Festival in September 2016, a celebrated event that attracts the crème de la crème of the film industry. Subsequently, "THE LEVELLING" made its way to numerous prominent international film festivals, captivating audiences worldwide with its unique narrative and cinematic excellence.
Noted for her remarkable work in the cinematic sphere, Hope's creative endeavors also garnered attention at the esteemed London Film Festival, where her projects were showcased to a wider audience. This notable recognition was further solidified when she received the inaugural IWC Filmmaker Bursary Award, in association with the renowned British Film Institute, a testament to her dedication and innovative spirit.
In addition to this prestigious honor, Hope's exceptional talent was also acknowledged in October 2017, when she was selected as a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit, a coveted distinction that celebrates outstanding achievements in the British film industry. This recognition serves as a testament to her impressive skills and potential for future success.
Hope's impressive accomplishments in the realm of screenwriting were fittingly acknowledged when she was bestowed a highly esteemed Scottish BAFTA award for Best Screenwriter, a testament to her outstanding contributions to the film industry, specifically her remarkable work on the film THE LEVELLING, which earned her this prestigious recognition in November 2017.
Over the ensuing years, she persisted in making substantial and impactful contributions to her chosen field, marking a notable milestone in 2020 with the release of a brand-new, thought-provoking short film titled STRONG IS BETTER THAN ANGRY, which was proudly presented as part of the esteemed and ambitious The Uncertain Kingdom project.
As a renowned screenwriter, Hope is diligently working on a multitude of innovative feature films and television projects, thereby further cementing her status as a pioneering and visionary figure in the realm of screenwriting, consistently pushing the boundaries of creative storytelling and artistic expression.
As the mercury soared to unprecedented heights during the sweltering summer of 2020, Hope embarked upon an audacious creative venture, meticulously crafting a mesmerizing cinematic masterpiece for the revered National Theatre of Scotland to debut at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival. This astonishing opus, titled GHOST LIGHT, elicited a plethora of effusive five-star reviews from both critics and audiences, thereby establishing a fruitful foundation for a second collaborative endeavour with the NTS.
As the global health crisis persisted, Hope capitalized on the situation to create a revolutionary, fusion film-theatre production of the ageless masterpiece, Jekyll & Hyde. This trailblazing endeavour merged the realms of cinema and theatre, as the performance was captured live on stage at the storied Leith Theatre and concurrently broadcasted to cinemas nationwide across the United Kingdom in February 2022.
As the production continues to unfold, a painstaking and labor-intensive process of editing is underway, with the ultimate objective of metamorphosing the raw material into a polished, cinematic masterpiece that will mesmerize viewers on a colossal scale, transcending the boundaries of time and space to leave an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of the global audience.
Noteworthy in addition to her illustrious and accomplished career in the realm of filmmaking, Hope is a trailblazing co-founder of Raising Films, a pioneering and groundbreaking initiative that is dedicated to creating a more sustainable and inclusive film industry environment, one that is particularly supportive and accommodating for parents and caregivers, thus recognizing the significant challenges and obstacles that they often face in their professional and personal lives.
In addition to her numerous accomplishments, she plays a vital role as a key member of the National Partnership for Culture in Scotland, a groundbreaking initiative that strives to foster and commemorate the country's abundant cultural legacy.
Hope makes her personal abode in the esteemed city of Edinburgh, where she resides with her cherished spouse and two delightful offspring, fostering a warm and loving domestic environment that is a true reflection of her kind and compassionate nature.
