Feature Film 'Still Loved'

Can we develop a market for diverse niche film content? This research investigates how new cutting edge technologies and services within the fast evolving distribution sector can disrupt conventional notions of ‘market’ by evolving mechanisms to aggregate niche interest in turn enabling challenging and diverse material to become viable. Often the gatekeepers in film and television exhibition need convincing to take on important and potentially life changing subjects ‘But sadly those who supply our “culture” often decide we need protecting from the reality of the world we are living in.’ The Lancet 29th October 2016. The quote refers to test case and research output film ‘Still Loved’ produced by this author. There is a systemic failure in the system in relation to independently produced films that give voice to strong and challenging subjects. The failure comes from fear of audience reaction. The fear perpetuates stasis seemingly numbing all. Through this research I want to author a dynamic new interesting approach to exhibition. Challenging traditional hierarchical structures, enabling new voices and subject matters to be seen and heard. ‘Still Loved’ was first internationally published at Beijing iDocs in December 2016 and garnered key positive critical reviews in both The Lancet (unusual for a film) and Guardian (four stars). Using previous and ongoing research on still birth feature documentary ‘Still Loved’ as a test case and bench mark. It was financed via crowdfunding using three different platforms - Sponsume, Kickstarter and Indigogo – this importantly also created an audience. I now want to take this model and apply it to ‘Morning’ a film about loss and grieving to be directed by new black northern female voice Juliet Ellis. Presently the system is failing her. This failure should not be allowed to continue.