Directors Notes // The Home of Independent Filmmaking

Ben Galster Extols the Sensuous Liberation of Gay Sex and Queer Relationships in ‘Ecstasy Homosexuality’

Ben Galster dives into blurring the lines between reality and fantasy in his music video venerating gay intimacy and the universal desire for love.

Article, Film Festival

Ten Cutting-Edge Short Films Screening at Bolton Film Festival 2024

DN dives into the bounty of excellent shorts on show at Bolton Film Festival 2024, highlighting a list of ten must-watches.

Music

Warring Neighbours Engage in an Arduous Territorial Battle in Lado Kvataniya’s Symbolic Manizha Music Video ‘GUN’

Lado Kvataniya walks us through the thematic importance and physical practicalities of the central moveable wall in his anti-conflict focused music video.

Live Action, Premiere

A Father Faces a Burden He Can’t Quite Grasp in Jesse Lewis-Reece’s Moving Drama Short ‘Mother of Mine’

Jesse Lewis-Reece unpacks the different facets of grief he wanted to explore with his personal bereavement drama.

Live Action

A Son Sacrifices His Sense of Self to Provide His Demented Mother Solace in Raphaël Pettigrew’s ‘I Remember’

Raphaël Pettigrew talks to DN about the narrative importance of getting as close as humanly possible to the actors in his heartbreaking Alzheimer's short.

Film Festival

Celebrating the Innovation and Growth of Conero Film + Adv 2024

DN returns to the unique festival that is Conero Film + Adv in the heart of Italy for its 2nd year honouring excellence in sustainable cinema and advertising.

Live Action, Premiere

Pack Mentality Transforms Idle Teens Into a Feral Gang in Barnaby Blackburn’s Anxiety Inducing Drama ‘Pylon’

Barnaby Blackburn discusses why he wanted to lead his audience unwillingly through the high tension drama of his tale of sibling rivalry and false bravado.

Live Action

Michael Jobling’s ‘The Walk’ Captures Britain’s Disenfranchised Lives Via One Man’s Trek Through Nature

Michael Jobling speaks about purposely avoiding the typical approach to working class stories in his short showcasing a man’s gruelling emotional journey.

Live Action, Premiere

The Loss of a Pregnancy Leads a Bride-To-Be Down an Impulsive Road Towards Healing in Rachel Sweeney’s ‘Fish Bowl’

Rachel Sweeney shares why she wanted to use comedy to normalise the rarely discussed complex emotions around miscarriage in her gallows humour short.