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.
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Darryl FosterDirector
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Darryl FosterWriter
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Jessica PalmarozzaProducerOne Like Him, Lapse, The Party Game, Washbag, The Things I Will Not Miss
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Darryl FosterKey Cast"Morey "Trigonometry, Johnny English: Strikes Again, Details to Follow, The Rook
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Corey McClaneKey Cast"Jackson"Sinking Souls, Unsolved: Death at the gym
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Michael P. SpencerCo-ProducerDetails to Follow, That Phone Call
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Sarah DooleExec ProducersFremantle Media, Red Production Company
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Aaliah SimpsonExec ProducersBFI exec
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Michael P SpencerExec ProducersDetails To Follow
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Liam NugentExec ProducersDetails To Follow
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Carl Earl OcranAssociate ProducerHackney Downs
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Ahmet HusseinCinematographerWRETCH32 'LITTLE BIG MAN'
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Sakky BarnorEditorDreaming Whilst Black
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Louis PriceProduction Designer
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Amber PeytonCostume DesignerDoctors, BBC
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Alexandros SymeonidesDialogue Editor and Re-recording Mixer
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Ryan GreenDialogue Editor and Re-recording Mixer
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CYPHRComposer
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Laura RoeFirst Assistant Director
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James BerkeryChoreographer
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Sydney AldridgeCastingSalt Water Town
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Vanda RamosArt Department Assistant
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Ben WaldronFocus Puller
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James BroomeSecond Assistant Camera
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Lee David BrownSteadicam Operator
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Lou MurrallGaffer
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Jack HeelsKey Grip
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Khuram Qadeer MirzaStills Photographer
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Mark LevienSound Mixer / Boom Operator
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Genna McIntoshHair and Make-Up Designer
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Paul GoveySTUDIO MANAGER - Shepperton Studios
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Nigel TadyanehondoColourist
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Marc PhilipsCast
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Gemma Louise SharmanCast
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Julie VinikkaCast
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Daljit BooparaiCast
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Project Type:Short
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Runtime:13 minutes 51 seconds
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Completion Date:July 19, 2022
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Production Budget:20,000 GBP
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Country of Origin:United Kingdom
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Country of Filming:United Kingdom
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:2.35:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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BFI London Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
October 15, 2022
LFF for Free | London Calling: Crucibles of Connection -
Pan African Film FestivalLos Angeles
United States
February 16, 2023
US Premiere
Official Selection -
Aesthetica Short Film FestivalYork
United Kingdom
November 4, 2022
Guest Programme -
Bolton International Film FestivalBolton
United Kingdom
October 7, 2022
World Premiere
Official Selection -
Little Wing Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
October 9, 2022
Official Selection, Best Male Actor winner, Best Director and Best Editing nominations -
Little Wing Film Festival - Best Male Actor WinnerLondon
United Kingdom
October 9, 2022
Best Male Actor 2022 -
North East International Film FestivalNewcastle Upon Tyne
United Kingdom
November 17, 2022
Official Selection -
Birmingham Film FestivalBirmingham
United Kingdom
November 4, 2022
Official Selection -
Fragments FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
October 1, 2022
Official Selection -
Caribbean International Film FestBirmingham
United Kingdom
September 21, 2022
Official Selection -
Halifax Black Film FestivalMontreal (Quebec)
Canada
February 23, 2023
Canadian Premiere
Official Selection -
Florence Film AwardsFlorence
Italy
October 19, 2022
Best First-Time Director -
Barnes Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
June 25, 2023
Best UK Short -
Nottingham International Film FestivalNottingham
United Kingdom
April 15, 2023
Official Selection -
FEELSLondon
United Kingdom
May 25, 2023
Official Selection -
Poppy Jasper International Film FestivalCalifornia
United States
April 16, 2023
Official Selection -
Seattle Black Film FestivalSeattle
United States
April 22, 2023
Official Selection -
POCC ShortsLondon
United Kingdom
April 19, 2023
Official Selection -
Wolverhampton Film FestivalWolverhampton
United Kingdom
May 28, 2023
Official Selection / Best Actor / Best Cinematography -
The New Black Film CollectiveLondon
United Kingdom
March 30, 2023
Official Selection
Distribution Information
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Studio CanalDistributorCountry: FranceRights: All Rights
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.
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.