Directors Notes // The Home of Independent Filmmaking

Freddie Leyden Draws From the Well of 70s Folk Horror for His Ethereal Music Video ‘The Dream Of Delphi’

Freddie Leyden talks us through the surreal inspirations and 70s documentary lenses that fed the eerie atmosphere of his beguiling Bat For Lashes music video.

Music, Premiere

A Runaway Bride Can’t Escape Her Past in Austin Hutching’s Striking Music Video for Kat Duma’s ‘So Long’

Austin Hutchings speaks to us about the importance of tangibility when creating the ambitious imagery for his train carriage-set music video.

Live Action, Premiere

A Pet’s Ill-Fated Demise Leads a Guilty Housemate to a Bizarre Remedy in Dark Comedy ‘Dead Cat Film’

Josie Charles & Nathan Miller talk to DN about the unwanted attention they garnered filming in public with a taxidermied cat for their quirky comedy short.

Art & Fashion, Premiere

Amaka Lin’s Experimental Dance Short ‘Stasis’ Finds an Ancient Force Inspiring a Peculiar Transformation

Amaka Lin reveals how the unsettling yet meditative textures of dark ambient music inspired her movement-led exploration of time, nature and the future.

Live Action, Premiere

An Unnerving Stranger Disrupts a Fireside Get Together in Joel Jay Blacker’s Comedy ‘Don’t Let Kyle Sit Down’

Joel Jay Blacker discusses his love of the comedic tension found in the spaces between conversations as deftly used in his unnerving unwelcome guest comedy.

Live Action, Premiere

A High Schooler Has an Unusual Request for His Classmate in Christian Meola’s Drama ‘The Expanding Horizon’

Christian Meola opens up about discovering new narrative territory and a widely diverse range of responses to his emotionally intense coming of age drama.

Live Action, Premiere

A Dubious Pair With Ulterior Motives Spin an Unbelievable Yarn in Sean Lyons’ Political Satire ‘Smoking Dolphins’

Sean Lyons unpacks the on point comedic tone and tension-structured shooting style of his smoky comedy calling out the self-serving doublespeak of politicians.

Documentary, Premiere

A Viral Internet Moment Propels a Leeds Bakery Into the Limelight in Alison Grasso’s Documentary ‘Hope You Fail’

Alison Grasso delves into finding the character driven heart of her film about a UK baker's Sprinklegate fight over the use of illegal American sprinkles.

Live Action

Screenwriter Colby Day on Penning Netflix’s Adam Sandler Starring Sci-Fi Drama ‘Spaceman’

Colby Day walks DN through the process of adapting the novel 'Spaceman of Bohemia' for his Netflix No. 1 Ranking Adam Sandler science-fiction feature.