Last Orders
A pub landlord with a dark past gets an unsettling visit one evening.
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Jon James SmithDirectorDo Not Disturb, Spira
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Jon James SmithWriterDo Not Disturb, Spira
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Jon James SmithProducerDo Not Disturb, Spira
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Alastair ParkerKey Cast"Daniel"Netflix's The Witcher, BBC's Doctor Who, The Witcher 3, Mass Effect 3
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Steven ElderKey Cast"Samael"The King, Lost, Rillington Place
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Stewart DugdaleScoreDo Not Disturb, Journey Home
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Eddy PopplewellSpecial EffectsThe Autopsy of Jane Doe, Saint Maud
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Project Type:Short
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Runtime:21 minutes 5 seconds
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Completion Date:October 31, 2021
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Production Budget:2,800 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:2:40
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Film Invasion LALos Angeles
United States
June 12, 2022
GRAND JURY PRIZE - BEST HORROR SHORT, OUTSTANDING HORROR DIRECTOR (Filmmakers Award), OUTSTANDING HORROR SCREENPLAY (Filmmakers Award), OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE, CAST - HORROR (Filmmakers Award) -
End of Days Film FestivalFlorida
United States
May 14, 2022
WINNER BEST SOUND DESIGN -
The International Horror HotelCleveland, OH
United States
June 11, 2022
BEST DIRECTOR - SHORT FILM, BEST SHORT SUSPENSE-THRILLER -
LA Crime and Horror Film FestivalLos Angeles
United States
May 14, 2022
Winner Best Cinematography -
HorrorHound Film Festival (Spring)
United States
March 25, 2022
HONORABLE MENTION -
The London Horror Society Indie Film ShowcaseLondon
United Kingdom
March 6, 2022
WINNER SKULLY'S CHOICE AWARD -
Hollywood Just4ShortsLos Angeles
United States
January 28, 2022
WINNER BEST HORROR SHORT -
London Lift-Off Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
December 6, 2021
JUDGES SELECT
Jon James Smith is a British writer and director working primarily in the horror and thriller genre.
Acclaimed film critic MJ Simpson wrote; "It's Jon James Smith's attention to detail that really impresses" in his review of Smith's award-winning thriller Do Not Disturb (2015). The film screened at festivals worldwide, winning several awards. Smith then went on to win the Shriekfest Commercial Competition in 2016.
His latest horror film Last Orders (2021) starring Alastair Parker (Netflix's 'The Witcher') and Steven Elder (Netflix's 'The King'), has received wide praise in reviews, being described as a "masterwork" by Nevermore-Horror.com. Although still near the beginning of its festival run, the film has picked up several awards including the Grand Jury Prize for Best Horror Short at Film Invasion LA and the Best of Fest Skully's Choice Award at The London Horror Society Indie Film Showcase.
Jon's new short 'Babushka' starring Hayley McFarland (The Conjuring, Lie To Me) is in post-production, and his Screencraft Semifinalist feature screenplay 'Rangda' is in development with Thorny Devil Productions.
Studying cinematography in the UK at the prestigious Bournemouth Screen Academy (alumni include, Edgar Wright) under Witold Stok BSC, was a great technical and creative base for his career. With a lust for hands-on experience Jon worked on over thirty 16mm productions, his student cinematography work has been screened at festivals around the world, winning various awards. He went on to work in the industry in the camera department and then as a cinematographer for several indie productions before focusing on writing and directing.
In between making films, Jon has created content for some of the biggest brands around, has worked for Google as a cinematographer and tech specialist, and works in special effects, recently on Warner Brothers 'Pennyworth' and BBC's 'Killing Eve'. Jon was also second unit director on horror feature 'Fanged Up', starring Steven Berkoff (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Beverly Hills Cop).
We made 'Last Orders' for a very low budget whilst the UK was in lockdown due to Covid. We had next to no money, but what we did have was access to an old creepy pub, which couldn't open due to the Covid restrictions, so we wanted to utilise what we had and use this small window of time to create something.
I wanted to create a horror film that makes you think, but without preaching to the audience. Stylistically there were some itches I really wanted to scratch with the supernatural genre, and I got to do that with 'Last Orders'. One of my main priorities with the film was working with the actors to create intriguing characters. Pacing-wise it was an odd script, so I knew it would all hinge on performance, particularly with the opening scenes. Although I consider myself a writer & director, due to such a low budget, I have had to take on a lot of the work, from producing, shooting, editing, sound design, and even had to teach myself VFX and colour grading in order to finish the film.
Because of having such heavy (and exhausting!) involvement in every aspect of the film, it feels like the most authentic film I have made to date, and I believe it is a good calling card for my sensibilities and tastes as a filmmaker. I hope the film will act as a beacon, and attract future collaborators.