'The Birdwatcher' has arrived.
Finally after 4 long years, production for my new short 'The Birdwatcher' has completed.
This film was written by Lachlan Marks, based off an idea I came up with after a serious of conversations with my friend and collaborator Craig Russell (who also happens to be the leading role in the film). The concept then morphed even further over time thanks to a number of exchanges of ideas with another friend, Hugo Helene-Deeg, who asked some tough questions about the concept of the story and its meaning. Essentially this film is a weird tale that could (on reflection) fit into the cosmic horror world, or perhaps even Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror series.
I won't give too much away but the process has taken so long due to us battling with the Covid19 pandemic, and a small budget which myself and my producer, Kingsley Marshall, pushed to breaking point. Thanks to a sponsorship from ARRI Rental and London cine-hire giants Shoot Blue, and many of my HODs kindly agreeing on token fees, we got it over the line. Short films are indeed made on the good will and faith of their crews, and my team is nothing short of phenomenal when it comes to that.
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We're currently in the film festival submission process, waiting to see what events confirm the film for 2025, but a trailer will be surfacing in the new year. Our IMDB story summary reads as thus:
"Investigators approach a bird watching hut deep in the forest following the disappearance of a grieving man. As they piece together his final moments, the evidence they gather becomes increasingly unnerving and hard to explain."
Click here to visit the film on letterboxd where you can add it to your watchlists.
It stars Craig Russell (Queen Cleopatra, Canaries, Protein), Mary Woodvine (Bait, Enys Men) and Rimca Karmakar. The film was shot on location in Cornwall, UK, and will be released via Myskatonic in collaboration with the Sound Image Cinema Lab.
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For now I'll leave you with our poster for the film designed by my good friend and collaborator Angela Annesley. Watch this space for further announcements and some behind the scenes photos.
