A WOMAN'S FACE, 8min., UK
Directed by Susan Lynch
A woman’s face. A short film about the aftermath of suicide on a man’s bereaved wife. The story begin when Anna’s husband’s body is retrieved from a canal. Anna walks out on her young children and retraces the steps of her dead husband.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

My mother died a couple of years and it coincided with the end of my marriage. I wanted to do a film about loss and grief, but also the toll such emotions can take on your mental health. The conclusion I suppose is that there are so many loves in your life that hold you and in some ways your memories of who you lost also hold you. I wanted there to be hope for the main protagonist in the end.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

I had the idea many years before the execution. It was done on a micro budget. I think with everyone doing it out of love for the project helped. In the end I paid a grader 200 pounds. That was all I paid out.

I'm proud that it was made on love not money. I was blessed with talented friends.

I always wanted Laura Ashcroft to play Anna. She's so talented and part of a community drama group I direct here. It was as much a gift, to Laura as a showreel as she is just starting out as a professional actress.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

broken heart

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

As always ...time

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Deep reassurance, that I had translated from screen to people's hearts.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Since I can remember I have always written something. I have a huge desire to creat my own worlds. I write songs too and poetry so I suppose with being an actor by trade I have somehow learned to translate through the film medium too.

I am still learning but am so passionate about it.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Either Jacob's Ladder or Woman under the influence ( I'm a huge cassavettes fan) or Dancer in the Dark. So hard to pick one!

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Professional advice. Mentorship.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Good! Hard to take rejections but also so uplifting to get a laurel, like Joe my cinematographer did at yours.

10. What is your favorite meal?

lobster garlic butter... fries ... and a glass of champagne.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I have written a feature.. which I would love to have a reading of to continue developing. It's called " Not What They Seem".
Sent from my iPhone