Online Premiere of Four new LGBTQ short films from Devon and Cornwall based writers at Exeter Phoenix.

Four brand new short films by LGBTQ writers from Devon and Cornwall are receiving their online premiere on the Exeter Phoenix Website.

Each was written by a different member of Down Stage Write theatre company’s Write Out Loud! Programme for LGBTQ writers in the region and produced with an all queer creative team in front of and behind the camera.

From the struggles of gay parenthood to trying to forge a place for your identity in a world that resists you, the pieces take a wry and heartfelt look at the LGBTQ+ experience today.

“The four writers Bee, Fynn, Robin and Jaime were commissioned by us after taking part in our LGBTQ writers project. The pieces are touching, funny, sometimes angry, sometimes deeply personal and also joyful” said Co-Director of the company Jon Nash. “We wanted to create work that while not shying away from the difficulties we can face was also joyful. Telling these stories with an all LGBTQ creative team made that even more special.”

The films are a real home grown effort with the writers, actors, director and film makers all living and working in Devon and Cornwall. The film makers from 45 Degrees photography Hector and Gian as well as all of the writers and performers. Each film has also been shot on location in the region too from a deserted nightclub in Plymouth to a spot on the beautiful Cornish coastline.

Robin Oliver, the writer of ‘Private’ found that “…working with Write Out Loud was a real joy and gave me a creative focus during a very emotionally significant time in my life. Private is about the lasting power of friendship, and the freedom that can come when you have the opportunity to fully embrace all that you are. Being able to perform the script myself gave me the chance to express much more than just my words on a page.”

Actor Charlotte McEvoy reflected on working on ‘Jellyfish’ by Cornish writer Jaime Lock, “I loved being part of such a special and exciting project, I really hope people can see part of themselves in the story- I know I wish I had seen more media like this when I was younger!”

We'd love to know what you think of the films and if you are a member of the LGBTQ community interested in writing for theatre, audio or film please get in touch with us as a new version of our free writer programme will begin in Spring 2023. You can learn more at www.downstagewrite.uk or email us at info@downstagewrite.uk