Hello, lovely human!
The who:
I’m Vanessa. I like to make genre and gender-bending stories about unlikely heroes and majestic misfits. I draw from my working poor upbringing and queer identity to showcase overlooked truths and hard won wisdoms yet to be captured on screen. I’m drawn to work that is philosophical, surreal, and funny.
The what:
I wrote a play that won an Emerging Talent Award as part of The Scene theatre series at Chiswick Theatre in London. It then found funding with the BFI Network scheme, and is now a short film that was just screened at The London Film Festival, 2023. It is currently touring festivals, including LSFF next month. I graduated from the National Film and Television School outside of London, where I wrote two successful animated short films that won all sorts of awards including BOTH being BAFTA shortlisted, both being Oscar qualifying, jury awards from SXSW, TIFF and the Austin Film Festival, and most recently voted a Vimeo staff pick (2023). One of these animations is being developed by Nexus Studios into a TV series. I have been a finalist in several writing competitions, including the Page Awards and the Sundance Lab. During the pandemmy I wrote and directed two short dance/ comedy films that continue to tour international film festivals and garner awards. I am currently a BAFTA Connect member.
The how:
You will often find me mid handstand, an attempt to stay sane. Previously a professional dancer, I know the importance of creative collaboration, retain an appreciation for unorthodox narrative, and harbour an enduring fascination with the physical power and limitations of the human body.
The why:
I’d like to fuse my movement and writing backgrounds to make new types of stories with other kind and curious humans. Let’s goooooo!
Select Works:
Meow or Never (writer)
In a madcap musical, a catstronaut travels the galaxy looking for the meaning of life! (Currently in development with Nexus Studios.)
Director: Neeraja Raj, Producer: Diana Podra
Awards include:
BAFTA Film Awards 2020 – Best Student Animation shortlist
Oscars Qualifying
Austin Film Festival Jury Award Honorable Mention - 2020
Women in Animation Awards 2020 – Best Short Film
BIFA long list for Best British Short Film Award - 2020
MUBI player - selected short
Best ScriptWriter Award - Blue Planet Sci-Fi Film Fest 2020
BFI Future Film Festival 2021 - Nominated for Best Film, Best Animation and Best Writer
O Black Hole! (writer)
A woman turns into a time-stopping black hole and it takes brave young Singularity to reverse the spell...
Director: Renee Zhan, Producer: Jesse Romain
Awards Include:
Oscars Qualifying
BAFTA Film Awards 2020 – Best Student Animation shortlist
VIMEO Staff Pick: 200K+ views
British Animation Awards: Winner, Best Postgraduate Film
Toronto International Film Festival Special Mention: “Share Her Journey” Award
SXSW Special Jury Award for Vision
Aspen Shortsfest: Winner, Best Animation
Annie Awards Nomination: Best Student Film
Poitiers Film Festival: Winner, Best Student Film
excuse me
(writer, director, co-choreographer)
Bullied by her “friend” at work, a woman excuses herself to the loo, where she is forced to dance with her demons.
Awards include:
-WINNER Best First Time Filmmaker and Best Actress at the Berlin Art Film Festival -WINNER Best Sound Design at Venezia Shorts -Continues to tour festivals internationally
The Call
(writer)
An eviction notice brings to light the lies and assumptions between an immigrant single mother and her adult daughter, sending them on a magical exploration of the purpose and power they hold as a family.
-Won an Emerging Talent Award via The Scene theatre series, 2021
-Produced by Get Over It Productions, performed at Soho and Chiswick Theatres in London -British Film Institute Awarded Short Film Funding in 2022 -Developed into a TV series - The Calling, pilot available upon request
-WINNER Best Short Film: 225 Film Club. London Film Festival Premiere October 2023
Thirsty
(writer, director)
Short Comedy Film - writer, director, producer
A woman and her wild friend go out on the town for an absurdist first date post-pandemic, where her suppressed sexuality and social awkwardness threaten to destroy this rare opportunity.
-Made within a 2 week period for Collaboration Film Challenge, September 2022 -Picked to be in the top 10 films to screen at Harmony Gold, L.A. -Continues to tour to festivals incl. Mammoth and Venice Beach Film Fests
Projects in Development
The Dancers - A limited series drama and full length play based on a true story
Burn It All Down- A comedy series about witches
The Dud - A feature film based on the play/short film ‘The Call’
Mother Mother - A short magical realism drama film
Seasonal - A teen dramedy series about the 4 Seasons
Mary Quite Contrary - A YA live action dramedy series loosely based on The Secret Garden
RIP Ann Bowron - Black comedy period feature film
Theatre Plays
YOU DO YOU
Drought-ridden Los Angeles is on fire, and Evie Adams is hell bent on experiencing her first orgasm before it all goes up in smoke.
Filmed as part of the NFTS Graduation showcase and planned to be performed at Soho Theatre, London 2020 (Cancelled due to Pandemic).
Filmed reading and Pilot script available upon request.
The Call
During a difficult visit to her single immigrant mother, Athena discovers that what she thought was age-related mental decline is in fact an inherited magical gift.
Performed at Soho Theatre, Director Hettie Macdonald , 2018 Won an Emerging Talent Award, then consequently performed at Chiswick Theatre, 2020 Awarded BFI short film funding in 2021, production under way in London presently
It’s Enough to Make You Spit
Jessica, a Disneyland employee playing Snow White, tells the story of a disturbing event at the park that is both unreportable and will cause her redundancy .
Monologue performed by Alice Anne Sykes at NFTS TV Studio, 2018
I’m currently available for script editing, directing and writing work, please contact me below!
Contact me
We are lonesome animals.
We spend our life trying to be less lonesome.
One of our ancient methods is to tell a story
begging the listener to say
-and to feel-
‘Yes, that’s the way it is,
Or at least that’s the way I feel it.
You’re not as alone as you thought.’
-John Steinbeck