Author Archives: Sarah Smith

Shot entirely in black & white, ‘Daniel Came Home’ is a haunting and dramatic short brought to life by a considered and knowledgeable filmmaker Brian Gregory. The film, which was the worthy winner of the Best Micro Budget Film Award at this year’s Brighton Rocks Film Festival, features an outstanding performance by David Keyes, supportedContinue reading “Interview with Brian Gregory Writer, Director & Producer of ‘Daniel Came Home’”

Liv Boren’s sensitive multi-layered exploration of trauma and grief in her short drama ‘REVERB’ are a clear testament to the filmmaker’s depth of understanding of these themes and an excellent reminder of the myriad of opportunities the big screen offers us. A brother and sister, both wading through torrid emotional waters, experience a shocking andContinue reading “Interview with Liv Boren, Writer, Director & Producer of ‘REVERB’”

‘The Nanny’ by Brian Reynolds is a fabulously dark and macabre tale of power, control and the most vile betrayals. Reynolds comes from a theatre background and having achieved success and recognition for his work on short films, he was drawn to write and produce a feature-length film. ‘The Nanny’ brings together the filmmakers’ ownContinue reading “Interview with Brian Reynolds, Writer & Director of ‘The Nanny’”

Horror films might not be everyone’s cup of tea but they undoubtedly can and have been used in film as a fabulous vehicle for social commentary. When filmmaker Craig Ford was looking to explore a series of cautionary queer tales, he looked to his beloved horror genre for inspiration. ‘The Witching Hour’ is Craig’s thirdContinue reading “Interview with Writer & Director Craig Ford and Producer Jonny Bunyan of ‘The Witching Hour’”

Brian Reynolds is a multitalented filmmaker who has made a name for himself with his thought-provoking and emotionally charged films. ‘The Nanny’ follows a wealthy couple hire a young girl from Finland to take care of their newborn. These new parents should be in a state of bliss, so why does it seem like theyContinue reading “Video Interview with Brian Reynolds Writer & Director of ‘The Nanny’”

Filmmaker Issy Songer is a recent graduate of Brighton Screen and Film School whose film ‘Safe Space’ explores the relatable and delightful variety of school dramas through the perspective of a girls school mirror. From gossip and embarrassing moments, to the unseen struggles of young girls Issy has created a film which explore issues thatContinue reading “Video Interview with Issy Songer Writer & Director of ‘Safe Space’”

Hugo Santa Cruz’s production co-op ANTi KiNO is a delightfully refreshing and progressive group that aims unapologetically to promote feature films and documentaries that take aim at the  ethos of those in control of the film industry in their gilded cages. It is no surprise that his latest feature film ‘The Fifth Generation’ embodies theContinue reading “Interview with Hugo Santa Cruz, Writer, Director & Producer of ‘The Fifth Generation’”

In a world teeming with generic and bland content, nothing puts a smile on my face more than an original and quirky piece of work. Mockumentary ‘StartStop (The Untold Story as told by Mary Applestone a film by Jim Banfield)’ fits this bill perfectly. The writers, directors, producers and all round creative talents Kew andContinue reading “Interview with Kew & Michael Bennett Leroux of ‘StartStop (The Untold Story as told by Mary Applestone a film by Jim Banfield)’”

Forge Photography & Film Production are an ambitious company whose recent focus on documentary filmmaking has led to the fruition of ‘Never Too Young Never Too Old’. Father and Son duo Mick and George Child wanted to find a way to commemorate the memory of their beloved family member Sid Metcalfe, who they began filmingContinue reading “Interview with George Child & Nick Belby of ‘Never Too Young Never Too Old’”

Refugia World was founded by actress, activist and philanthropist Liana Cornell. Alongside her passion for supporting grassroots solutions to the climate crisis, Liana has specific interest in animal rights, rainforest conservation and protecting our Oceans. Liana says, “I am an activist because I have no other choice. I cannot sit by while the world burnsContinue reading “Video Interview with Liana Cornell Writer, Director & Producer of ‘REFUGIA – Episode 1′ and James Crawley”

Rachel Fowler is a brave and candid filmmaker whose striking exploration of a largely untouched subject matter, the tragedy of stillbirth, is as heartbreaking as it is uplifting. For the production of her directorial debut, Rachel carried out a hugely admirable amount of research, ensuring an accurate and proper treatment of the subject. She thenContinue reading “Interview with Rachel Fowler, Writer & Director of ‘Stillness’”

Kai Fiáin’s spirited queer folktale ‘Dippers & Oysters’ is an imaginative and fresh film which embodies so many of the mantras we hold dear at Brighton Rocks. The Irish screenwriter, director and producer cut their teeth as a filmmaker exploring LGBTQ asylum seekers, globalisation and working class subcultures through documentary. ‘Dippers & Oysters’ marks theirContinue reading “Interview with Kai Fiáin Writer & Director of ‘Dippers & Oysters’”

In a dark, grimy corner of a bar somewhere in LA, three old Barflies get to bickering about one salty, charming, two faced swindler from the past… So pull up a barstool, get a drink and find out just “who the F**k is Jacky Bumpers?” in this candy coloured Super8mm film. Before the screening atContinue reading “Video Interview with Alan Richard Halls Writer and Director of ‘Who the F**k is Jacky Bumpers?’ & Chip Carey Actor and Producer”

James Card is an award winning short-film director who eventually gave into the burning desire to make a feature film and produced his brilliantly engaging, improvisation-based feature ‘Finally Nearly Getting There’. Inspired by the mumblecore subgenre of American independent film, ‘Finally Nearly Getting There’ takes us on an all-too-typical British meander through the countryside toContinue reading “Interview with James Card, Writer & Director of ‘Finally Nearly Getting There’.”

Heartbreak and the ways in which we deal with it is a rich and well-trodden path, so it is always a treat when we come across a freshly delivered perspective, as shines through in comedy short ‘Pigeon’. Directed by Kiki Allgeier, founder of creative production company Go Parachute, the US-based filmmaker was looking for aContinue reading “Interview with Kiki Allgeier, director of ‘Pigeon’”

Mark Nelson’s ‘A Place About 50 Miles West Of Nowhere’ is a beautiful experimental exploration of life in New York City through an abstract expressionist and surreal lens. The film is gorgeously layered with images from the city, allegory and poetic observations and musings narrated by actress and producer Andromeda Godrey. Alongside being a delightContinue reading “Interview with Dancer Georgia Poole & Choreographer Annie Waller from Latitude Dance on ‘A Place About 50 Miles West of Nowhere’”