Middle Watch

Haunted and scarred by conflict and loss, a sailor must come to terms with the trauma of war and the mysteries of the deep, as he endures another shift in the small hours of the night on the Middle Watch.

  • John Stevenson
    Director
    Kung Fu Panda, Sherlock Gnomes
  • Aiesha Penwarden
    Director
  • John Stevenson
    Writer
  • Giles Healy
    Producer
    Moshi Monsters The Movie
  • Boris Hiestand
    Key Cast
    "Starkey"
    Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed!
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short, Other
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 12 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 1, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Animation
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • BAFTA nominated 2023
    London
    United Kingdom
    February 4, 2023
    London Premiere
    Nominee
  • Anifilm
    Liberic
    Czech Republic
    May 16, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Crystal Palace International Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    March 18, 2023
    London Premiere
    Nominee
  • Seattle Make Believe
    Seattle
    United States
    March 25, 2023
    West Coast Premiere
    BEST SHORT FILM
  • Bolton International Film Festival
    Bolton
    United Kingdom
    October 5, 2022
    UK Premiere
    Nominee
  • Nevermore Film Festival
    Durham, N.C.
    United States
    February 24, 2023
    North American Premiere
    Audience Award "Best Animated Film"
  • Two Short Nights
    Exeter
    United Kingdom
    Regional Premiere
    Official Selection and Finalist
  • Kalakari International Film Festival
    Gomti nagar Dewas
    India
    March 22, 2023
    Asian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Hollywood Shorts Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    April 7, 2023
    BEST ANIMATED SHORT
  • Believe Psychology Film Festival
    Pasadena
    United States
    June 3, 2023
    Best Animation
  • Carmarthen Bay Film Festival
    LLanelli
    United Kingdom
    May 15, 2023
    Welsh Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Festival Mental - Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
    Lisbon
    Portugal
    May 18, 2023
    Portuguese / Iberian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Celtic Media Festival
    Dungloe
    Ireland
    June 6, 2023
    Irish Premiere
    Nominee
  • Zlin Film Festival - International Film Festival for Children and Youth
    Zlin
    Czech Republic
    Official Selection
Director Biography - John Stevenson, Aiesha Penwarden

Based in Los Angeles, John Stevenson is an English / American Director probably best known for his work with Pixar and Dreamworks. In 2008, he won an 'Annie' and was nominated for an Oscar for directing Kung Fu Panda.

Aiesha Penwarden is a BAFTA nominated Indonesian-English Director and Story Artist based in London. Middle Watch was her debut (co)directorial film. Since then, Aiesha has worked as a Story Artist for animated commercial and TV productions. Currently she is Head of Story for an unannounced animated feature film.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Our inspiration for the film was a letter written in 1963 about a strange incident during WW2. We wanted to tell a story about a man broken by the experience of war, suffering survivor’s guilt and undiagnosed PTSD, who has an extraordinary experience that jolts him out of his self destructive, inward gaze and makes him reconsider the world and his place in it.