Experiencing Interruptions?

HARD TO REACH

When an anxiety-fuelled mentor takes his disruptive teenage student on a photography trip, an altercation on a train leads to a cathartic exchange that changes them forever.

  • Darryl Foster
    Director
  • Darryl Foster
    Writer
  • Jessica Palmarozza
    Producer
    One Like Him, Lapse, The Party Game, Washbag, The Things I Will Not Miss
  • Darryl Foster
    Key Cast
    "Morey "
    Trigonometry, Johnny English: Strikes Again, Details to Follow, The Rook
  • Corey McClane
    Key Cast
    "Jackson"
    Sinking Souls, Unsolved: Death at the gym
  • Michael P. Spencer
    Co-Producer
    Details to Follow, That Phone Call
  • Sarah Doole
    Exec Producers
    Fremantle Media, Red Production Company
  • Aaliah Simpson
    Exec Producers
    BFI exec
  • Michael P Spencer
    Exec Producers
    Details To Follow
  • Liam Nugent
    Exec Producers
    Details To Follow
  • Carl Earl Ocran
    Associate Producer
    Hackney Downs
  • Ahmet Hussein
    Cinematographer
    WRETCH32 'LITTLE BIG MAN'
  • Sakky Barnor
    Editor
    Dreaming Whilst Black
  • Louis Price
    Production Designer
  • Amber Peyton
    Costume Designer
    Doctors, BBC
  • Alexandros Symeonides
    Dialogue Editor and Re-recording Mixer
  • Ryan Green
    Dialogue Editor and Re-recording Mixer
  • CYPHR
    Composer
  • Laura Roe
    First Assistant Director
  • James Berkery
    Choreographer
  • Sydney Aldridge
    Casting
    Salt Water Town
  • Vanda Ramos
    Art Department Assistant
  • Ben Waldron
    Focus Puller
  • James Broome
    Second Assistant Camera
  • Lee David Brown
    Steadicam Operator
  • Lou Murrall
    Gaffer
  • Jack Heels
    Key Grip
  • Khuram Qadeer Mirza
    Stills Photographer
  • Mark Levien
    Sound Mixer / Boom Operator
  • Genna McIntosh
    Hair and Make-Up Designer
  • Paul Govey
    STUDIO MANAGER - Shepperton Studios
  • Nigel Tadyanehondo
    Colourist
  • Marc Philips
    Cast
  • Gemma Louise Sharman
    Cast
  • Julie Vinikka
    Cast
  • Daljit Booparai
    Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 51 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 19, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • BFI London Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 15, 2022
    LFF for Free | London Calling: Crucibles of Connection
  • Pan African Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    February 16, 2023
    US Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Aesthetica Short Film Festival
    York
    United Kingdom
    November 4, 2022
    Guest Programme
  • Bolton International Film Festival
    Bolton
    United Kingdom
    October 7, 2022
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Little Wing Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 9, 2022
    Official Selection, Best Male Actor winner, Best Director and Best Editing nominations
  • Little Wing Film Festival - Best Male Actor Winner
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 9, 2022
    Best Male Actor 2022
  • North East International Film Festival
    Newcastle Upon Tyne
    United Kingdom
    November 17, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Birmingham Film Festival
    Birmingham
    United Kingdom
    November 4, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Fragments Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 1, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Caribbean International Film Fest
    Birmingham
    United Kingdom
    September 21, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Halifax Black Film Festival
    Montreal (Quebec)
    Canada
    February 23, 2023
    Canadian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Florence Film Awards
    Florence
    Italy
    October 19, 2022
    Best First-Time Director
  • Barnes Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    June 25, 2023
    Best UK Short
  • Nottingham International Film Festival
    Nottingham
    United Kingdom
    April 15, 2023
    Official Selection
  • FEELS
    London
    United Kingdom
    May 25, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Poppy Jasper International Film Festival
    California
    United States
    April 16, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Seattle Black Film Festival
    Seattle
    United States
    April 22, 2023
    Official Selection
  • POCC Shorts
    London
    United Kingdom
    April 19, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Wolverhampton Film Festival
    Wolverhampton
    United Kingdom
    May 28, 2023
    Official Selection / Best Actor / Best Cinematography
  • The New Black Film Collective
    London
    United Kingdom
    March 30, 2023
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Studio Canal
    Distributor
    Country: France
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Darryl Foster

Formerly a mentor for at-risk young people in Birmingham, Darryl's experiences directly shaped his voice as the writer/director of Hard To Reach, a short film funded by BFI Network and Red Production Company/Studio Canal. Hard To Reach has screened at prestigious BIFA, BAFTA and OSCAR Qualifying Festivals, including the BFI London Film Festival, Aesthetica, Bolton, Pan African Film Festival and the 37th Edmonton International Film Festival. For "Hard To Reach," Darryl won Best First-Time Director and Best Actor awards while securing a Best UK Short Fiction nomination at the BIFA-accredited London Breeze Film Festival 2023. He has been featured in Directors Notes and The British Blacklist and is developing his next short film and debut feature.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

HARD TO REACH draws inspiration from 7 years when I worked as a mentor for at-risk youth in Birmingham. Witnessing the exclusions of talented young individuals who didn't conform to societal norms fuelled my desire to shed light on their experiences. I spent extensive time teaching students in unconventional settings, which led to my personal growth as they taught me valuable lessons, shaping who I am today. And through this film, I have explored a profound connection between a man and a boy during a transformative period in their lives.