SAFE UNSOUND
My first feature documentary (53 mins). Displaced by war, three Ukrainian families fight for a foothold in rural County Mayo, suspended between the lives they are building and the place they came from. Filmed over two years and set to an original score blending Irish and Ukrainian folk traditions - composed by acclaimed Irish violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain and Chris Hill (co-writer of RAYE's This Music May Contain Hope), with vocals from the world-renowned Bach Choir - Safe Unsound is a tender, observational portrait of three Ukrainian families seeking stability amidst an increasingly uncertain future. Next screening: IFI, Dublin, 14.10.26 (tickets on sale soon).
“A documentary for opening people’s hearts.”
Inna Yegorova, Second Secretary of the Ukrainian Embassy to the UK
THE PROMISE
Magical realism short inspired by the climate crisis and made to draw attention to small things that we can all do better: notice and take care of the natural world on our doorstep. Best Experimental Film, British Short Film Awards | Best Screenplay, TIETE Film Awards | Best Music Video, Phoenix Short Film Awards | Best Experimental Film, Flickfair
“We were not prepared for the world-class quality of the end result”
Katharine Richman, The Bach Choir
SEA CHANGE | JUBILEE SAILING TRUST & BARCLAYS
An award winning film about a novice, mixed physical-ability crew who had never met before, sailing one of the worlds largest tall ships. It's a celebration of how practical, alien and apolitical environments bring out the best in people and help them form strong social connections.
Silver, Best Documentary, EVCOM Awards | Silver, Long Form, UK Charity Film Awards
“I was blown away by what Daniel produced. I witnessed first hand the empathy, the intelligence and the interpersonal skill of his directing. The film had a significant impact on a diverse audience, helped raise c. £250K and was recognised with a number of external awards. It has very much set the standard for future commissions.”
David Wilson, Barclays
DEBT SHADOWS | ACCA
A campaign film, commissioned by the ACCA as a follow up piece to a their report Payday Lending: Fixing a Broken Market. It was released alongside FCA and Church of England lobbying efforts to shift UK government policy on high cost credit. It is an intimate portrait of the human impact of an unethical business model, made with two people who bravely agreed to shine a light on a subject that carries heavy social stigma.
"Daniel's work exceeds our expectations. It addresses the issue of payday loans in a way that is disarming, visually beautiful and intimate: a testament to the trust his collaborators had in him to do their very personal stories justice. I am yet to meet someone who saw it and wasn't moved and informed in equal measure by it"
Petros Fassoulas, ACCA
STREET STORIES | WWF
Mini documentary series I created for the WWF to support their new communications strategy: to actively campaign against climate change by using human voices. I used an emotive approach: presenting scientific evidence to members of the public to create a narrative reveal that would shock those experiencing the facts while watching the films.
“The street stories series was a huge success, helping to highlight the plight of nature in the UK in an approachable and engaging way. Daniel was involved from the original concept, helping draft the approach and his vision continued right through to final delivery. It was a pleasure working with him.”
Sarah Inge, WWF
COMICS ARE MY ROCK 'N' ROLL | INDIE DOC
"In this film, we found a kindred spirit of a film with a lot of heart, a winningly D.I.Y attitude and an irresistible, if slightly unlikely, hero to root for."
Jenny Horwell, London Short Film Festival