Grid Test - Directors Notes

Haunting Visions Seep Into the Mind of a Lonely Drifter in Eli Powers’ Psychological Horror ‘Skin & Bone’

Eli Powers tells DN how leaning into the genre elements of his concept enabled him to creatively flourish when mapping out the script of his tense horror

Live Action

Sachin Dheeraj’s ‘Men in Blue’ Viscerally Exposes the Modern Slave Labour Inflicted on Immigrant Guest Workers

Sachin Dheeraj discusses the visual language he used to depict the deplorable true story of men stripped of their dignity for profit by modern day slavery.

Live Action

Samm Hodges Explores the Lasting Impact of Generational Male Violence in Immersive Drama Short ‘Tender’

Samm Hodges breaks down how he used the tension of a seemingly one-shot film to embed the audience in the chaotic world of his protagonist's turbulent life.

Live Action, Premiere

Werner Vivier’s ‘Walls Like Windows’ Captures Our Acute Need for Human Connection and Empathy When Navigating Trauma

Werner Vivier walks us through the narrative developing cinematography and surprising shifts of tone of his expectation subverting drama short.

Live Action

Abi Damaris Corbin Honours Marine Veteran Brian Easley’s Tragic Story in Gripping Heist Thriller ‘Breaking’

Abi Damaris Corbin discusses the careful blocking, Demme-inspired close-ups and deep collaboration which underpin her portrayal of a larger-than-life heist.

Live Action

Erik Odom Excavates the Enduring Effects of Shame in Thrilling Horror Drama ‘Box on the Hill’

Actor Erik Odom tells DN why rehearsal time with his scene partner was key to the success of his directorial debut about shame manifest in demon form.

Animation

Natko Stipaničev’s ‘Arka’ Is an Unconventional Interpretation of Life Through the Strata of a Grand Cruise Ship

Natko Stipaničev talks to us about mimicking stop motion with 2D & 3D to create his bizarre animated world aboard a doomed transoceanic cruise ship.

Film Festival

Ten Thought-Provoking Shorts to Catch at Glasgow Short Film Festival 2023

Split between the Scottish and International competition, this year's Glasgow Shorts Film Festival selection is in typically fine form.

Documentary, Premiere

James Slater’s ‘Look for the Diamonds’ Encourages Us Grab Life by the Horns No Matter the Circumstances

James Slater talks about the unconventional approach to documenting illness he employed for his documentary celebrating a uniquely positive outlook on life.

Documentary

Audrey Mascina’s ‘I AM THAT I AM’ Explores Sexuality as Expression and Empowerment Without Constraints

We speak to Audrey Mascina about her strong desire to challenge the limits of how sexuality in all its glory can be captured and presented by filmmakers.

Live Action

Jimmy Olsson Explores the Delicately Shifting Father-Daughter Bond in ‘Last Weekend With Jenny and John’

Jimmy Olsson speaks to us about drawing on his own fatherhood anxieties when constructing his drama about a maturing daughter pulling away for her father.

Music

Past and Present Converge in Lado Kvataniya’s Stirring Ode to Georgian Family with Mgzavrebi Music Video ‘Waltz’

Lado Kvataniya discusses reconnecting with his Georgian roots for his innovative 16mm music video about an invisible connection with a departed loved one.