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

Ironic Juxtapositions of Everyday Life Are the Centrepiece of Amy Nicholson’s New York Comedy Short ‘Irony’

Amy Nicholson tells DN how she and a small crew created a mosaic of everyday idiosyncratic New York moments and ironic juxtapositions for her satirical short

Read more

Live Action

Jack Benjamin Gill Explores the Dark Discomfort of Family Secrets in Thriller ‘Lambing Season’

DN spoke to Jack Benjamin Gill about crafting family-thriller 'Lambing Season' and using his own experiences as a touchstone for authentic storytelling.

Read more

Article, Film Festival

“We Have the World’s Best Films” – MUBI’s Efe Cakarel on Bringing Cinema’s Greats to Film Schools for Free

MUBI founder Efe Cakarel talks to DN about their new offering to film students and teachers of free membership to their selection of handpicked cinema.

Read more

Film Festival, Live Action

Ben Ockrent Weaves a Fairytale for an Adult Audience in ‘Edmund the Magnificent’

Ben Ockrent tells DN how he created and structured Sir Ian McKellen's narration around the edit for his adult fairytale short 'Edmund The Magnificent'.

Read more

Documentary

Tristan Anderson Heads to Kickstarter to Finish His Michael Jackson Tribute Artists Doc ‘Moonwalkers’

Tristan Anderson speaks to DN about how and why he's turned to Kickstarter for his triple Michael Jackson impersonator documentary 'Moonwalkers'.

Read more

Film Festival, Live Action

Ellie Rogers Explores the Importance of Unexpected Female Friendships in ‘Outlines’

An initially awkward encounter between a young girl and her Dad's hired escort evolves into an unexpected friendship in Ellie Rogers' 'Outlines'.

Read more

Film Festival

BFI Flare London LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2018: Stand Up

DN looks forward to another programme of the best in LGBTQ+ cinema from around the world at the BFI Flare London Film Festival 2018.

Read more

Live Action

A Smear Test Takes a Turn for the Worse in Kate Herron’s Horror Comedy ‘Smear’

Kate Herron returns to DN to discuss how she tackled the uncomfortable subject matter of a smear test in her new horror comedy short.

Read more

Live Action

Canadian Olympians Become Works of Art in Ian Pons Jewell’s Painterly ‘Be Olympic’ Commercial

Ian Pons Jewell takes us through the classical art pieces & personal stories which inspired his captivating slo-mo ad spot for the Canadian Olympic team.

Read more

Live Action

Eliza Hittman Explores the Tension Between the Hyper-Masculine & the Homoerotic in Sophomore Feature ‘Beach Rats’

New York director Eliza Hittman tells DN how a picture from Facebook became the inspiration for her late-night cruising feature 'Beach Rats'.

Read more

News

Calling All Female Filmmakers: A Look Inside the London Film Academy’s Pioneers Award Bursary

The deadline for London Film Academy's Pioneers Award is soon! DN spoke with LFA's co-founder Anna MacDonald about their scholarship for female filmmakers.

Read more

Article

James Maitre Top Ten Feature Films of 2017

"The best cinema this year was for me based in the everyday." James Maitre applauds the power of small moments expertly told in his top ten films of 2017.

Read more