Connie North American premiere -Nightmares Film Festival, and Crystal Palace International Festival inclusion

I’m chuffed to say that we’ve had news of more festival acceptances for Connie, two of which I can share below, though others are currently under wraps! Very exciting. Ssssh…

First, Connie will be screened as part of Nightmares Film Festival, a top international film festival dedicated to the horrific, the dreadful and the weird – perfect for little miss puppet. The festival takes place from 20th – 23rd October in Columbus, Ohio, at the world-renowned Gateway Film Center, named one of the top twenty art houses on the continent by Sundance. This is currently set to be our North American premiere!

Connie will be screened alongside some of the very best features and shorts from around the world, including my recent FrightFest stablemates from August, The Stylist by Jill Gevargizian, Gwilliam by Brian Lonano and The Babysitter Murders by Ryan Spindell, so Connie will be in great company! Precise day/time of screening is to be announced.

Then on Friday 18th November, she’ll have her second London outing as part of the eighth annual Crystal Palace International Film Festival. Following the success of KEEN-wah at the festival last year, this is sure to be a real treat. The festival has a great vibe, with themed nights and is one of the coolest I’ve been to in years. It runs from 29th October – 19th November at several venues in South East London. You can buy tickets for our screening on 18th November here.

I’m really thrilled that Connie is finding its audience and that people will get to see Catrin Stewart’s powerhouse performance as both Dolly and Connie. She’s truly mesmerising.

Connie in post-production and KEEN-wah to have US premiere in New York!

It’s been a manic couple of weeks juggling numerous creative projects all at different stages. I did get some time to party at the BAFTA TV Awards and enjoy some red carpet glamour and champagne, but I’ve been really focused on bringing my latest short film, Connie, to life. A comedy horror about a withdrawn, reclusive female wannabe ventriloquist and her loud-mouthed sidekick, it’s a story that I just had to tell and this week – WE WRAPPED. After an intense two-day shoot, plus some extra special interviews, I was exhausted and emotional, but it was all worth it.

Your name in lights, kid Pic: Cat Davies, Connie, 2016

This strong female story is full of heart, horror and a foul-mouthed puppet. I am the writer and director, and I co-produced the film with my partner, and now business partner from Moranic Productions, James Moran, who is also our editor.

 It was a fantastic team effort – I was blessed with a really fantastic, creative crew. But, I was really blessed when it came to my on-screen talent. Both my leading female characters are played by one incredible actress, the lovely Catrin Stewart (Doctor Who, Stella), who had to play two characters – one being a puppet – often at the same time. I don’t know how she did it, but she was magical.The film is now in post-production, but much, much more to follow on that over the coming months…

Diva Las Vegas Pic: Cat Davies, Connie, 2016

In other news, I heard this week that my previous short KEEN-wah will be screened at the Iron Mule Short Comedy Film Festival in New York in the late summer or early fall at an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. This could well be the film’s US premiere! Iron Mule has been operating for more than a decade now and showcased early work from celebrated filmmakers and comedians such as Stephen Colbert, Seth MacFarlane, Lena Dunham, Aziz Ansari, and Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Galzer. So I feel rather honoured! More details on that to follow.

For now, a damn good rest is in order. And the puppets can have a sleep, too.

KEEN-wah hits Film4 FrightFest Glasgow in February!

I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that KEEN-wah will be screened at Film4 FrightFest in Glasgow next month! It’s their 11th year as part of the Glasgow Film Festival, taking place from Thursday 25th to Saturday 27th February.

 

I feel triumphant that my little film, shot on an uber-low budget of £300, will be screened alongside some fantastic films, including the world premiere of Stephen King’s Cell, starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson. There are eight UK premieres, including the Blumhouse remake of Martyrs, and two European premieres. My film will be shown on the Friday afternoon. Whoooopeeeee.

 

 

As a FrightFester myself, I know how passionate the fans are. I just hope that my ‘baby’ meets their justifiably exacting standards. They’re the best bunch on the planet.

 

It’s the first screening of KEEN-wah since its delightful world premiere at Crystal Palace International Film Festival last November. It was a joy. I was so pleased to be part of it and was happy with the audience reaction, especially the lovely lady who came up to me after my Q&A and said “I loved your film. And you’re so normal… I expected you to be weird. I’m so pleased.” I think it really is one of the nicest things that anyone has ever said to me.

The KEEN-wah Q&A at CPIFF 2015

Big thanks to the fantastic FrightFest team – Alan, Paul, Ian, Greg and Shelagh, for their support. As a kid who was bullied at school, it’s nice to actually be picked for something!

 

Also, many thanks to my fab team David Puckridge, Jessica Taylor, James Moran, Stu Dye and Poppy Taylor. The film wouldn’t have been made without their (fake) blood, tremendous sweat and very high quinoa tolerance!

 

The full line-up for Film4 FrightFest Glasgow has been announced. It looks spectacular! If that’s not enough to whet your appetite, check out the trailer. Event passes for the Friday/Saturday ONLY cost £70 and are on sale from noon tomorrow (Tuesday 12th January 2016). Tickets for the Thursday evening screening, and individual tickets for Fri/Sat films go on sale on Mon 25th January from 10am priced at £9.50 / £7.50 concessions. Tickets will be on sale here.

 

Huzzah! x