FAY PRESTO: QUEEN OF CLOSE-UP (2017)
SHORT DOCUMENTARY, 16min
ROLE: Director, producer and editor
'Fay Presto: Queen of Close-up' is a portrait documentary about the legendary Fay Presto; the UK’s most in-demand close-up and cabaret magician who would rather die on stage than quit performing. Influencing hundreds of magicians and making way for women in the magic world, Fay’s humour and brilliance has led her to perform for the Queen on six separate occasions as well as doing private magic shows in countless of celebrities’ homes.
This short documentary reflects on Fay’s everyday life as a magician and, at age 70, an older woman in a youth-obsessed entertainment industry. It touches upon gender roles and ageing, shows the struggle of earning a living as a performer, and, through her memories, gives us a glimpse into the glamorous days of the London 80s
SCREENINGS AND AWARDS
Glasgow Short Film Festival 2018
Glasgow Short Film Festival, the largest competitive short film festival in Scotland
Fastnet Film Festival, Cork, Ireland
• WINNER Best Documentary 2017
BAFTA-recognised festival and the world's biggest LGBT festival • Shortlisted for BEST BRITISH SHORT
The Learning on Screen Awards 2017, London - BFI Southbank
• AWARD Special Commendation in BEST DOCUMENTARY 2017
Women over 50 film festival, Brighton - Picture House
• AWARD Special Commendation in BEST DOCUMENTARY 2017
Best British Shorts, Berlin
British Short Film Festival 2018
BFI Flare 2018, London
UK Industry Selection of the BFI Flare Digital Viewing Library
Bertha DocHouse Curzon Cinema, London - Curzion Cinema
Underwire Film Festival, London - BFI Southbank
BAFTA-recognised festival • Nominated BEST EDITOR
Melbourne Queer Festival 2018, Australia
120 curated LGBTIQ-themed features, shorts and documentaries from Australia and the world
Fringe Film Festival, London - Hackney Showroom
Annual queer film and arts festival Fringe
British Documentary film festival, London
Shortsighted Cinema, London - Rich Mix Cinema
Recognised as home for British Short Films • Q&A with me and my contributor Fay Presto on stage.
Liverpool Pride Festival 2017, UK