Pickney
Leon wakes from an unsettling dream with the sense that something isn’t right. The feeling of unease grows as Leon sees the figure from his dream appear and vanish mysteriously. Somehow this stranger holds the key.
Interview with Writer/Director Michael Jenkins
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made the film, as a way of getting this story out and i wanted to see these characters on screen especially the Papa Legba character who helps Leon find his way.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You should watch the film to get a glimpse into the life and issues a young mixed race black British person may face.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Leon longs for a family connection, he previously only had that with his nan so he must now go on a journey of self discovery and find his family.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Working with the BFI Network and my producer we managed to get work with a script editor to really hone the story to the themes and they main thing i wanted to say. Script development was key for me and something i had never done before but Im so happy i went through that process.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It won an audience award at the american black film festival last year.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
NO but the response form the USA has definitely surprised me. Didn't really get picked up much in the UK but it has been in multiple places in the US and Caribbean.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Just to get more exposure on the film and to hopefully get some reviews form people on it's IMDB page - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13158760/
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
It would be great to speak with journalists and distributors and film festival programmers.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would hope more people would want to show the film and get more people to experience this story. hopefully they can relate.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What is your identity?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Interview: May 2022
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Pickney
Length:
16:00
Writer/Director
Michael Jenkins
I am a writer/director of film and TV. I am extremely motivated to bring well-told and untold stories to as wide an audience as possible and I believe passionately in the role of film as an engine for change and understanding. I was recently voted among the 100 most influential people in Bristol in the BME power list 2018.
I have won Best Short film for ‘Check the Label’ at The Royal Television Society Awards West 2018, Best Documentary The Royal Television Society Awards West 2021 for Monumental, two BBC Local Radio Gillard Awards for the Diversity and Community, and other awards.
I have recently launched the only Black owned and run production company in the Bristol - Blak Wave Productions
I recently directed my first short for CBBC called Topknot or not. Part of the BAFTA/BFI Network Crew 2020/2021 as well as a TV Collective FutureBreakthrough Leader. A short film I have written and directed – Pickney - funded by the BFI, won an audience award at the American Black FilmFestival in 2021. I am also a Greison DocLab Alumni.
Producer
Bex Rose produces films across a variety of mediums including drama, documentary, dance and spoken word. Bex works as Watershed's Digital Content Editor for Rife Magazine and Producer for the BFI Film Academy at Watershed. Often working with new and emerging filmmakers she supports them in developing their creativity and digital skills, helping them tell their stories and find pathways into the creative industries. Bex has been a producer mentor for Random Acts South West and BBC New Creatives and has also worked on the BFI Film Academy at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Bex produced the BFI Network short films Pickney and The Piss Witch and the short BBC drama To Topknot or Not.
Key cast:
Ajani Cabey, Craig Lewis, Shaun Clarke
Looking for:
sales agents, distributors, journalists, buyers, film festival directors
https://twitter.com/MichealDJenkins
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/bymichaeljenkins
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bymichaeljenkins
Hashtags used:
#pickney #blakwave #blakwavepro #magical #realism
More info:
PAFF online platform from May 6-22, 2022.