I had the privilege of sitting down earlier this week with an award winning short film director, he has directed films such as the award winning short Tourette’s And I, and the short crime thriller Injustice, I had spoken to him via his Instagram about his recent work, as well as his upcoming film The Projectionist which begins shooting this June.

Tourette’s and I, where did the idea for the story come from, like what made you wake up one morning and say “you know what I’m going to make a film about this Tourette’s?

“I’ve always wanted to make a movie about it, but never felt I was ready or the time was right. It wasn’t till we saw we had an audience at film festivals with PsychoPath, I felt we can really show awareness internationally. I wanted to make a film based on my life experiences with Tourettes, and when I finally knew we had an audience, and a crew all dedicated to bringing the story to life, I knew we were ready”

Growing up with Tourette’s how did you cope as a child/teenager with it?

“I struggled with it badly, it really made life hard growing up, very tense fears when leaving the house to go out to school, college and uni. It was painful with the tics, always in pain. But I’ve accepted it now, making the film was very cathartic”

I can imagine, you say you’re a massive movie buff who would you say your big sort of influences are when filmmaking

“Georges Méliès, Wes Anderson, Spielberg, Nolan, Jean- Luc Goddard, Shane Meadows”

Wide array of filmmakers there, some current and some old I like that, Georges Méliès that’s quite impressive what drew you to him?

“1902’s Trip to the Moon, the film that inspired me to direct. I love how he was part of the beginning of special visuals effects and the way without sound, you are still engaged to his movies via visuals and artistry”

I love that, let’s propel ourselves let’s say ten years in to the future where do you see yourself then?

“I’d like to see myself making a feature for theatrical distribution. Get films in Cannes and Venice Film Festival, which is what we’re planning with my next short film”

Very ambitious I love that! When you released Tourette’s and I did you ever anticipate the reception that it got?

“I didn’t no, I was overwhelmed, it meant a lot people wanted to listen and see what life with the condition is like. Made me very happy”

I bet! When you got the email or however you found out regarding the first award what was that like, surely that must’ve been overwhelming?

“I was so overwhelmed, I got an email saying we won both best drama short and best trailer at the same festival, it was amazing. People really responded to the movie and its emotional arc”

And which festival was that?

“The Europe Film Festival”

You also won awards in various other countries again what was that like hearing that you reached other countries?

“It was a great feeling, we had reached so many people all over the globe, people really accept the awareness, and awarding the film, was helpful in spreading said awareness”

You have another film in the works titled The Projectionist, in which you describe as a love letter to cinema, tell me… what was the inspiration behind this project?

“Always been fascinated with film and the power of cinema. The film is a character study in mental health and how cinema can be a powerful tool to help. It helped me when depressed, so I wanted to do a film that showcased both”

Reminds me of Cinema Paradiso was that one of your inspirations for this film?

“It was indeed yes”

You said earlier that Spielberg was one of your inspirations, I take it you have watched The Fablemans if so that and Cinema Paradiso would you safely say they were your top inspirations for this project?

“Those two, and the smallest show on Earth”

I can’t say I’ve heard of that one who directed it and how was that an inspiration?

“Its an 1957 British comedy film, directed by Basil Dearden, and starring Peter Sellars, its a comedy about a run down cinema, our film isn’t a comedy its a drama, but Sellars plays a Projectionist in the film who has his own emotional issues, like ours, oh and empire of light for the visual influences”

If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring filmmakers out there what would it be?

“Make movies, get your phone or camera, make a movie, submit to festivals on FilmFreeway, there’s loads of free ones as well as paid ones, but that’s what we did, we tried to break in the industry for years, but we make our films, submit to festivals and that’s how we broke in. You got a film studio In your pocket, our next film is shot on iPhones, you can do the same”

Random question to wrap up here, as a child was your dream always to be a director?

“It was since I was seven and a half”

it’s been an absolute pleasure, for the record the projectionist starts shooting in June when can we expect it to be released?

“Late this year early next year, maybe even New Year’s Day”