Directors Notes // The Home of Independent Filmmaking

A Double Booked Airbnb Causes Poolside Chaos in Michael Rees’ Comedy Short ‘His Parents Never Taught Him’

Michael Rees talks us through prioritising a chaotic tone over script-specific dialogue to great comic effect in his short film about a double-booked Airbnb.

Awards, Live Action

Joshua Trigg Hits the Road in Search of Identity in Laos Set Debut ‘Satu – Year of the Rabbit’

DN speaks to BIFA nominee Joshua Trigg about shooting in Laos with limited film stock & non-professional lead actors for his self-financed 16mm feature debut.

Awards, Live Action

As Trust Is Broken Toxic Masculinity & Violence Take Hold in Christopher Andrews’ BIFA Thriller ‘Bring Them Down’

BIFA nominated director Christopher Andrews speaks to us about his use of a shifting visual language to ratchet up the tension in his bold feature debut.

Awards, Live Action

A Misanthropic Newlywed Stumbles Through the Chaos of Adulting in Karan Kandhari’s Feature Debut ‘Sister Midnight’

A film for all the misfits who've misplaced their manuals for life, DN sits down with Karan Kandhari to dig into the making of his genre-bending debut feature.

Awards, Live Action

Ben Lankester Immerses Us in the Most Challenging Night Shift of a Newly-Qualified Midwife’s Career in ‘Delivery’

Ben Lankester details the multi-tiered sound design that immerses audiences into the frantic intensity of his BIFA nominated maternity ward drama short.

Animation, Awards

How Nina Gantz Found the Perfect Balance Between Sadness and Humour in BIFA Wining Short ‘Wander to Wonder’

Nina Gantz takes DN inside the extraordinary craftsmanship of her stop motion short which offers a poignant exploration of loss for its diminutive stars.

Awards, Live Action

A Belfast Hip-Hop Trio Mount Their Own Form of Protest to Protect Their Heritage in Rich Peppiatt’s ‘Kneecap’

Rich Peppiatt discusses throwing comedic Molotov cocktails to ignite crucial but difficult conversations in his multi-BIFA winning feature debut.

Awards, Live Action

Talking Practical FX and the Power of a Great Title With Eros V Director of BIFA Short ‘Meat Puppet’

Eros V reveals the lo-fi techniques used to bring a possessed puppet to life for his BIFA nominated short about a man-child who desperately need to grow up.

Live Action

A Mother Finds Refuge In Her Own World With Her Blow-up Doll in Chanelle Eidenbenz’s ‘Elephant in the Room’

Chanelle Eidenbenz talks about leaning into cast insights and evolving the script of her drama about a delusional woman’s fraught relationship with her son.