From studying Film to International Business Management at Falmouth
02 June 2026
For BA(Hons) Film graduate Salem Joynes, the collaborative and supportive environment of Falmouth’s School of Film & Television was transformative and something he sought to continue to experience as an MSc International Business Management student.
Writing and directing his third-year film GROWN offered Salem the chance to bring his interests to life, as his work explored the relationship between childhood trauma in adolescence and the impact it can have later in life. Salem has now recently seen his film screened in Tunisia at the 2026 International Health Awareness Film Festival. Alongside GROWN, Salem also had the opportunity to work as a co-producer and assistant director on lecturer Dean Puckett’s short film, F***FACE, which premiered in New Orleans.
Outside of short films, Salem has collaborated with fellow students on a commercial for the eco surf wax brand, Bees Bumps. The piece focused on the importance of making sustainable choices in an increasingly unsustainable global landscape. “My friend Sullivan Tarrant, a fellow third-year BA(Hons) Film student at the time, and the writer and director of the commercial, approached me with the idea asking if I’d be interested in being the assistant director on the project,” Salem told us.
“My role involved scheduling shoot days and ensuring everything ran smoothly on set. As we were shooting on 16mm film – a much more complex format to work with – we didn’t have the same flexibility compared to shooting digitally, so it was essential to factor those demands into the schedule.
“I was incredibly lucky to work with such a talented and hardworking group of fellow film students, and it was also great to be part of a project that helped spread awareness on the importance of making sustainable lifestyle choices in a world where it’s more essential than ever.”
Salem’s interest in the intersection between media and business inspired him to go on to pursue Falmouth’s MSc International Business Management course. “I loved every second of studying BA(Hons) Film at Falmouth and really valued how creative and hands-on the course and tutors were. Towards the end of my degree, I realised I wanted to gain an even stronger understanding of business,” Salem shared.
He went on: “As the film industry progresses into a more corporate, conglomerate-driven landscape, the intersection between creativity and business is becoming more prominent than ever. Having a solid foundation in both areas will give you an extra edge within your chosen field or industry. That’s something that going on to study the MSc International Business Management course has given me; a wider understanding of such integral social science, while also broadening my horizons and helping me apply this newfound business knowledge to my creative background.”
Since starting his master’s, Salem’s creative and collaborative work at Falmouth has only continued. Feeling keen to get involved with another creative project, Salem approached a friend with the idea of putting a face to his brand for his upcoming collaboration. “My friend Kas, who studies with the University of Exeter on Penryn campus, runs his own clothing brand Deguisement. He was preparing to release a clothing drop in collaboration with Bolt, a local streetwear store in Falmouth, when I approached him with my idea,” Salem said. “This led to Deguisement x Bolt: In Conversation With Kas – a short one-minute advert that explored what Falmouth means to him and how collaboration acts as a homage to living in Cornwall.
“I loved working with a mix of incredibly talented and hardworking film and photography students to bring this commercial to life. It really wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
Reflecting on how both courses have allowed him to grow as a creative, Salem expressed that something he values about Falmouth is being granted the breathing room to develop your own path.
“The support I received on my undergraduate degree, particularly from my tutors Laura Canning and Dean Puckett, really made me feel capable of achieving great things. It gave me the confidence to tackle postgraduate study. The university’s interdisciplinary learning style is very nurturing.”
Moving forward, Salem wishes to work in positive-change media, with a focus on male mental health. “Hopefully, I’d like to lead my own production company that tackles mental health stigma in men through cinema, or work for a non-governmental organisation that helps to aid diplomacy and international conflict resolution.
“Either way, I know I want to create positive change in the world, and studying at Falmouth has been a huge contributor in helping me realise that.”
External links
See what Salem is up to on LinkedIn
Discover MSc International Business Management
Header image: Salem with film lecturers, Dean Puckett and Laura Canning.
Images: Shots taken from behind-the-scenes of GROWN, Bees Bumps, Bolt X Disguisement and F***FACE.
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