Henry Wolff, a rising filmmaker, has pursued his passion for filmmaking over the past few years, turning his creativity into a promising career. From his early days creating short-form videos on his own, Henry has progressed significantly, with support and guidance from the Offshoot Foundation playing a pivotal role in his journey. After attending Offshoot workshops, he gained confidence and pursued a filmmaking degree at The University of West England. Recently, he achieved viral success with one of his videos, reaching over 9 million views in a global campaign for Shout Out, with the support of Ofcom.
Reflecting on his growth and achievements, Henry shares, “Offshoot gave me a foundation and the confidence to pursue this path. They didn’t just teach me filmmaking skills; they helped me believe in myself.”


Developing an interest in filmmaking
Henry’s interest in filmmaking started at home, making simple videos, including animations with Lego. However, it wasn’t until his mother encouraged him to attend group workshops that he truly began to see filmmaking as a collaborative art. “I was really introverted and quite shy,” Henry recalls. “But I was so interested in filmmaking that I had to go. Since attending, I’ve become more outgoing.”
His journey with the Offshoot Foundation began in 2017. “I ended up going to one of the Offshoot workshops, and Paul Press was great to be around,” Henry shares. “He lights up the room and makes everyone feel comfortable. I went to that first workshop and then basically didn’t stop for years.” Over time, Henry attended more sessions and even began running workshops himself. The experience of working alongside Paul Press has continued to provide him with mentorship and opportunities, boosting his confidence and his professional skills.


The First Workshop Experience
Walking into his first Offshoot workshop, Henry didn’t know anyone but had the desire to learn. “It’s more about learning to work in a group and finding a balance between your ideas and other people’s ideas,” he explains. Through the workshops, he gained not only technical skills but also a newfound ability to work collaboratively. By the time he entered university, Henry had a solid foundation and an understanding of how to work with others.
Creating a viral video
Henry’s creative journey took an exciting turn when he was commissioned by Shout Out, a non-profit organization associated with the Electoral Board. The project aimed to address misinformation and the online landscape young people navigate. The process involved mixed media techniques that required detailed work, and Henry approached it with enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility. “Since it was my first big job, I called Paul, and he gave me some really good advice on managing the shoot and valuing myself as a creative,” he reflects. This guidance helped him navigate the project successfully, leading to the video amassing millions of views.
Henry also credits Offshoot for the opportunity to work on diverse projects, including a corporate video for Suffolk County Council. “For that project, Paul paid me fairly, trusted me to operate the camera, and handled all the producing and interviewing,” he shares. This experience bolstered his self-confidence, helping him overcome imposter syndrome and trust his own abilities.
The Offshoot Foundation Family
Throughout his journey, Henry has stayed closely connected to Offshoot, describing the community as a family. “It’s nice to go back and see everyone. It feels like a family when I return,” he says. Offshoot’s commitment to nurturing its alumni is evident in the continuous opportunities they offer, whether during summer or Easter workshops.
When Henry returns to these workshops, he places less emphasis on achieving perfect results and more on creating an enjoyable and supportive environment for young people. “It’s more about young people having fun,” he notes. “It’s not even about the final films; it’s about making friends and the feeling of accomplishment.”

The seeds of creativity
For Henry, creativity is about inspiration and finding ways to capture fleeting ideas on film. He describes his process as a collection of ideas that build over time, with each project offering something new. “You make one film or video, and then you take one idea from that and think, ‘That was really good,’ and you hold on to it,” he explains. Through Offshoot, Henry learned to channel these ideas and build on them, refining his creative approach.

Advice to young FILMMAKERS
Henry strongly encourages young people interested in filmmaking to explore the opportunities provided by the Offshoot Foundation. “If you’re interested in filmmaking and want to learn how to navigate it with other people your age, definitely go to an Offshoot Foundation workshop,” he advises. Not only do these workshops offer a chance to develop filmmaking skills, but they also create lifelong friendships. Reflecting on one such workshop, he shares, “We became such close friends that, after the workshop, we created a WhatsApp chat and planned to make a film together. For me, that’s what it’s all about.”
Henry’s journey demonstrates the power of mentorship, community, and persistence. His success is a testament to the role Offshoot Foundation plays in empowering young filmmakers, providing them with the tools, confidence, and network to pursue their dreams in the world of filmmaking.

Henry’s top 3 films


