Author

About the Author /

James is DN’s resident horror fan and is inspired by all academic, formal and Ethan Hawke-related aspects of filmmaking. When he isn’t writing for DN you’ll most likely find him on Bluesky, reading a graphic novel or and being sat on by his cat Peanut.

Live Action

An Author’s Hope for Isolation is Disturbed by a Strange Couple in Alex Fofonoff’s Cosmic Horror ‘While Mortals Sleep’

Alex Fofonoff breaks down the refined screenwriting process that birthed his eerie and otherworldly 16mm cosmic horror short.

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Animation, Premiere

A Mother Battles Grief in a Dense and Vivid Fantasy World in Matt O’Donnell’s Animated Short ‘Runelight’

Matt O'Donnell describes the pleasure of creating the 3D animation behind the vivid world featured in his short film.

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Animation, Awards

A Father and Son Wrestle With the Nature of Loss in João Gonzalez’ Oscar Nominated Short ‘Ice Merchants’

João Gonzalez breaks down how the distinct visual aesthetic of his Oscar nominated animation intersects with its themes of grief and loss.

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Animation, Awards

Reality Crumbles in Lachlan Pendragon’s ‘An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It’

Lachlan Pendragon takes DN through the creation of the clever yet whimsical character models featured in his metarealism Oscar nominated animation short.

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Film Festival

Ten Tantalising Picks from the National Film and Television School’s 2023 Graduate Showcase

As this year's graduate showcase kicks off, DN delivers a list of ten short films from the latest NFTS cohort that are definitely worth checking out.

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Animation, Awards

A Mariner Takes a Sudden and Astounding Voyage in Wendy Tilby & Amanda Forbis’ Oscar Nominated ‘The Flying Sailor’

Amanda Forbis & Wendy Tilby explain how they blended 2D and 3D animation techniques with live action for their explosive multi-award-winning short.

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Art & Fashion, Documentary, Premiere

Dawn Richard Champions the Power of Self-Expression in Moving New Orleans-Set Dance Short ‘Pigments’

Dawn Richard breaks down why she wanted to alter the cliched image of New Orleans through her compelling and empowering dance short.

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Live Action, Music Video

Peder Thomas Pedersen Surveys Society’s Dark Underbelly in Noir Thriller ‘Between the Ocean and the Snow’

Peder Thomas Pedersen unpacks the artistic influences that underpin his dark and seedy crime thriller/music video hybrid.

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Live Action, Premiere

A Couple Struggle to Redefine Their Relationship in Beck Kitsis & Chris McNabb’s LGBTQ Short ‘Valentine’

Chris McNabb and Beck Kitsis tell DN how they sought to represent trans creatives both on and off screen when making their personal relationship drama.

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Animation, Awards

John Stevenson’s BAFTA Nominated Animation ‘Middle Watch’ Sees a Struggling Sailor Face the Extraordinary

John Stevenson reveals the lessons he learned directing for major studios and how they guided him in the creation of his BAFTA nominated short.

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Animation, Awards

Hannah Jacobs Embraces Life’s Uncertainties in Her Affirming BAFTA Nominated Animation ‘Your Mountain is Waiting’

Hannah Jacobs shares how she created the meditative yet surreal tonal amalgamation of her BAFTA-nominated short about rediscovering how to trust your gut.

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Live Action, Premiere

Bousher & Gee’s ‘You’re Absolutely Right’ Sees an Affirming Hotline Fuel a Paranoid Hoarder’s Troubled Beliefs

Theo Gee and Ian Bousher detail how they echoed their protagonist's inner turmoil through the detailed production design of their claustrophobic set.

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