An Interview with Sarah Li
We spoke to Sarah Li about their film Opening the Closet Doors, a creative response to LGBTQ stories in the archives at Darlington Hippodrome – our Women X 2022 venue – made in collaboration with local LGBTQ people. They talk us through their filmmaking journey, queer histories, and working with archival material.
An Interview with Neelakshi Yadav
Neelakshi Yadav is a filmmaker and creator of BFI Future Festival featured documentary Life is a Highway. The film features interviews with rickshaw drivers across Delhi, India and draws attention to the difficulties which these drivers face in their daily lives. In this interview, Neelakshi talks to us about her creative process when making this documentary, as well as her future plans for 2021.
An Interview with Elsa Hunter-Weston
Elsa Hunter-Weston is a writer and director based in the UK. In her experimental short film ‘Please Introduce Yourself’, the narrative follows train-watching enthusiast, Eliza. In the film, Eliza arrives at her first job interview, and this allows the viewer to gain insight into the barriers that Eliza, a d/Deaf woman, faces in the employment sector. In this interview, Elsa talks us through the inspiration behind this film, as well as the benefits of using experimental means of creation.
An Interview with India-Inés Levy
India-Inés Levy UK-based writer and producer who has been featured at the 2021 BFI Future Festival. Her short film, In The Garden, follows Frederick and Clementine - two young aristocrats - as they talk beneath an oak tree. Set in an idyllic, pastoral setting, the film expands itself past its own beauty as something more sinister begins to reveal itself. In this interview, India-Inés talks to us about the inspiration behind her film, as well as her experiences when creating a film which steps outside the contemporary.
An Interview with Paloma Lopez
Paloma Lopez is a Venezuelan director and filmmaker, based in both Los Angeles and Paris. Her film, Girls & Party, was featured at BFI Future Festival. The film follows group of girlfriends preparing for an anticipated summer party in a cramped bathroom. Between their teenage talks of boys and makeup, character Mercedes navigates her blossoming attraction towards one of her female friends. In this interview, Paloma talks to us about creating queer cinema and her creative plans for 2021.
An Interview With Simisolaoluwa Akande
Simisolaoluwa Akande is a UK based filmmaker and creator of Dudu, which has been featured at BFI Future Festival. This experimental short film explores the issues of colourism and its effects on self-identity by layering spoken word poetry over a series of evocative images. In this interview, Simisolaoluwa tells us about the benefits of intertwining poetry in her in her filmmaking, as well as her creative plans for 2021.
An Interview with Neeraja Raj
Neeraja Raj is a director, writer, animator, and storyteller. In her film Meow or Never (2020), she tells the story of cat-astronaut Pucha who is searching for the answers to life’s most pressing questions. In this interview, Neeraja talks us through this delightful, award winning tale of discovery and friendship, as well as telling us what it’s like to work in the world of animated films.
Sundance 2021: Natalie Chao
Natalie Chao talks us through the making of her short film, To Know Her, an exploration of the camera's gaze and her relationship with her mother. She chats to us about memory, family, and what we can learn from the pandemic.
Sundance 2021: Sara Hirner and Rosemary Vasquez-Brown
Co-directors Sara Hirner and Rosemary Vasquez-Brown tell us about making GNT, their animated short film about a woman on a mission to conquer social media. They chat to us about collaboration, female friendship, and embracing the vulgar.
Sundance 2021: Renee Osubu
Renee Osubu tells us about making her debut short film, Dear Philadelphia, a documentary about forgiveness and community in North Philadelphia. She talks us through her advice for young filmmakers, why Ava DuVernay inspires her, and what happens when you get chickenpox mid-shoot.