A short silent drama about a Mental Health/OCD sufferer struggling to live with his behaviour.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Stewart Hannah

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I am very passionate about making films that raise awareness, bring out emotion and educate. Mental health issues are very close to my heart and I wanted to create a story that portrays struggle but also hope.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Mental health is not talked about enough, watching my short film will hopefully bring about conversation – especially to those suffering in silence, talking is the first step to recovery.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

As this is a silent film with no dialogue, I feel this short will reach a wide range of international viewers. According to the World Health Organisation, 1 in 4 people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological problems at some point in their lives – so I think this can relate and resonate with many viewers.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The hopeful ending was changed during production, as we wanted to push the idea that mental illness is not the end and that hope can deliver.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We have had fantastic feedback from mental health survivors/sufferers, especially on social media. It has really touched me and it is very encouraging to keep pushing the film into a more mainstream audience.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I was very surprised with the feedback, the support we have had has been truly unexpected and we appreciate and give thanks to all those that have contributed in sharing our film and raising the awareness.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Further awareness in mental health, I am hoping more people can share my story and help bring about the conversation further.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Understanding and awareness of mental illness.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I am currently writing a feature length screenplay which I am hoping to pitch later this year.

Interview: March 2018

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, 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

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Holding the Rain

A short silent drama about a Mental Health/OCD sufferer struggling to live with his behaviour.

Length: 2mins 16 seconds

Director: Stewart Hannah

Producer: Stewart Hannah

Writer: Stewart Hannah

About the writer, director and producer: Stewart Hannah (27) is a Scottish filmmaker who is currently living and working in Australia.

Key cast: Simon Hipkin

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): looking for journalists to help us spread the core message of the film.

Social media handles:

Facebook: @holdingtherain

Twitter: @stewarthannah90