So now, after 3 years of development, and 2 years in the film festival and screening circuits, Snapshot's journey comes to an end.
Its feedback from; Audiences, Critics, Filmmakers and Juries alike have had us beyond words, astounded that we've managed to accomplish what we tried to succeed with its vision.
There were a lot of first timers for me on this journey, so below is a brief recap of where the short went in chronological order, and my experiences to the festivals and screenings that I managed to personally attend. Further details have been recounted on previous blog posts I made from such accessible via their headings.
The first film festival Snapshot was selected for that I also attended alongside Producer Sam Barnett, and the first win we genuinely didn't expect. Initially thinking it was simply a screening, we saw the awards at the podium and pondered for a while. Here, I was at my most nervous, watching the short on the big screen for the first time. Ironically speechless, this win left us overwhelmed and myself as a babbling mess online, and am still over the moon with such a win. Rest assured, the award now sits nicely on top of my DVD and Blu-Ray collection.
Screening out of competition as part of Film Hub North's Showcase, Sam attended this when I unfortunately couldn't. Like Wigan, there was a strong reception and warm applause, being showcased with some other fantastic shorts, some of which screened with Snapshot at Wigan!
Another I couldn't attend, but screened as a strong sentiment, given the fact that it was that very venue where I first met Sam, and slowly developed Snapshot over many teas and coffees.
Next, yet another I couldn't attend due to illness, with some uncertainty of Snapshot's reception here. The fact that it screened at two Cinemas in the North East (was supposed to be three, but a technical fault saw to that) was an honour in itself, screening alongside familiar short films from Wigan and Bolton.
As part of a BFI Academy Young Programmer's Course, Snapshot was selected to screen alongside 4 other short films as part of a; "Showcase, featuring disabled protagonists and films made by disabled filmmakers." I attended to say a few words about the short, which screened last alongside the other beautiful shorts. Sheffield seems to be something of a second home for me now.
Typical that my Passport expired shortly before the selection for this Film Festival in Ireland, where it was apparently met with strong praise. Would definitely love to visit when such issues can be resolved!
The most personal of screenings and something of a homecoming for myself. Also the first that myself and actor Josh Ward jointly attended, along with a good friend of mine, as well as my Mum and Stepdad. Something of a strange experience to not only watch Snapshot at the Cinema that I once regularly attended (who could say no to £2 a ticket at the time?), but to also be interviewed on a panel for the first time, giving Josh and I the opportunity to talk about the film that was also open to a Q&A. I was genuinely bricking it, but those who have watched seem to say otherwise! P.S. - The lights were very bright, hence my closed eyes!
Josh wonderfully organised and curated this himself, and informed me of its glowing reception amongst those who attended.
The second Film Festival Josh and I attended together and final film festival selection overall. Though Josh couldn't make the afternoon screening of Snapshot amongst the superlative selection, he was there for the 3rd and final night, where the short received an amazing 4 nominations to its name at the inaugural festival! Another first for Snapshot, and though no wins, many came up to us to congratulate and praise the film. Filmmakers and audience members alike, many recounting their personal experiences of Autistic people they know, as well as Autistic people themselves telling us of how the short has captured such authentic experiences.
Actor Josh Ward knows of Filmmaker Robert Golden, who in turn wrote a glowing review of Snapshot, after it was screened elsewhere prior. There was further praise for the short, following its screening in front of Robert's latest Documentary film Belonging/Becoming.
After a long gap of finding Snapshot a home and following through with the other festival outcomes, its final screening before premiering online, was part of a Welcome Weekender at Peterborough Key Theatre during May's Bank Holiday Weekend. This ties in nicely with my current project, as part of a Residency, developed alongside Metal Arts Culture in Peterborough.
Premiering online on such a prestigious YouTube channel was another surprise and victory for us. With an incredibly quick turnaround, we reached 4,000 views in the first day, before the waves of positive comments from audience goers really lifted spirits and reminded me why I set out - with the help of my creative team - to make Snapshot in the first place.
DOP, Producer and Editor of Snapshot Jim Wraith has connections with Dawn Feather. Both lecturers at Sheffield Hallam University, I was offered to screen and give a Q&A on Snapshot for Dawn's Square Lens Alliance. Logistical issues meant I appeared via Zoom. However, their dubious approach to the alternative format seemed quashed, as they regarded it as one of the most engaging and comprehensive talks they had in their meetings. Some very interesting technically related questions!
Closing out Peterborough's Gateway Film Festival was a Local Filmmaker's Showcase, with Snapshot ending proceedings for the event, as well as the whole festival in general. It was acclaimed and praised by those who attended, and gave me an opportunity to network with the other Filmmakers, as well as Film-Goers there.
A strange experience, but one that was a long time coming! Well, 18 months anyway. Planning a screening and Q&A proved tricky, but we got there nonetheless. Over 11 years since I last set foot in my place of studies, gaining my College and University qualifications from here, I fondly remember attending screenings and Q&A's of other Filmmakers in The Pod, hence the surreal feeling when it was my turn. The room found it incredibly moving, and I was in turn moved by the Autistic people who opened up about their lived experiences and how Snapshot deeply resonated with them. Almost bowling me over seeing my previous Lecturers praising the film, and almost mesmerised by my creative journey from script to screen. An experience that I won't forget in a hurry.
For a debut short film (amongst some incredibly tough competition!) 7 out of 38 film festival screenings is all in all impressive, when some of my favourite shorts of the past have rarely gotten into 1! Roughly a 17% chance! For reference, below are the Film Festivals and Competitions that Snapshot came very close to being selected to screen at, but unfortunately wasn't. The * indicates where Snapshot made the festivals' long-list. Sunderland invited us back for a free second resubmission due to its high-rating last time round, but was unfortunately unsuccessful again.
- The First Time Filmmaker Showcase
- The Shortest Nights
- Bolton International Film Festival
- Encounters Film Festival*
- Aesthetica Film Festival
- Sony Future Filmmakers Award
- BIFA Short Film Awards
- Sheffield Short Film Festival
- Leeds International Film Festival
- Purbeck Film Festival
- London Short Film Festival
- Manchester Film Festival
- Harrogate Film Festival
- Glasgow Short Film Festival
- Shared Visions Film Festival
- Directors Notes
- Wolverhampton Film Festival
- FEST New Directors (Portugal)
- EFN Short Film Festival
- Norwich Film Festival
- Cheltenham International Film Festival
- Sunderland Shorts Film Festival**
- Bristol Independent Film Festival
- Birmingham Film Festival
- Cambridge Film Festival
- Leicester Film Festival
- OSKA Bright Film Festival
- UK Film Festival - London*
- Winchester Film Festival*
- Daydream Cinema (Neurodiversity Celebration)
I have nothing but gratitude for every person who has supported this project from the ground-up, both inside and outside of its Production. Indebted to this entire learning curve. Every festival selection has been a win in my eyes, an honour as well, to screen amongst such a high quality of work within each!
Where do I (or we) go from here? Who knows? But with this deeply personal project finally coming to the end of its overall journey, I am pleased that we're now able to share it online for (hopefully!) more and more people to see. Was it worth that wait or hype that's been drummed up around it? That's for you to decide. If this short film is all I'm ever known for, I'd be happy with that. A proud enough 'wetting' to leave behind for others to see and pass on to others.