Private Project

The Nailing Of an Older Woman

Set in the covid era, Maria, A nail technician, who happens to be trans, embarks on a business venture to do call-out appointments. In doing this she meets an older lady named Ingrid, who insists on having her nails done through the letterbox. Meeting Ingrid makes Maria question the whereabouts of her transphobic grandmother. Maria's mother Sue informs Maria her grandmother passed away. Having never had the chance to reveal her transness to her own grandmother, Maria decides to come out to Ingrid as transgender through writing on long acrylic nails. Maria runs off before she can hear Ingrid's response. After a nightmare about her grandmother, and a visit with her Mother Sue to her Grandmothers grave, Maria picks up the courage to visit Ingrid again.

  • Holly Anstey
    Director
  • Solomon Watkins
    Writer
  • Solomon Watkins
    Producer
  • Stephanie Lynnette
    Key Cast
    "Maria"
  • Anne Rason
    Key Cast
    "Ingrid"
  • Stacey Lynn Crowe
    Key Cast
    "Claire "
  • Claire Driver
    Key Cast
    "Sue ( Mother)"
  • Tina Rath
    Key Cast
    "Grandmother"
  • Vincent Visser
    Key Cast
    "Salon Manager"
    A Lavender Marriage
  • Hayat Roberta
    Key Cast
    "Salon Customer"
  • Isabella Walton
    Key Cast
    "Salon Colleague"
  • Solomon Watkins
    Sound Design
  • Justina Trapokaite
    Director of Photography
  • Isabella Walton
    Casting Director & Intimacy Coach
  • Marcin Sehn
    1st Assistant Camera
  • Kaleb Harvey
    2nd Assistant Camera
  • Jordan Vukomanovic
    Gaffer
  • Niamh Crowley
    Spark
  • Daniel Kaszas
    Runners
  • Alfie Lang
    Runners
  • Esmee Huguenin
    Runners
  • Olli Hull
    Costume Design
  • Sebastian Pierredel
    Composer
  • Hayat Brannelly
    Assistant Director
  • Zaine Kellmen
    Crewing Assistant
  • Eileen Ferdarb
    Editor
  • Stephanie Stevens
    Wardrobe consultant and on set nail aplication
  • Lisa Vo
    Nail Design
  • Tommy Van Tang
    Catering
  • Nes_but_its_raining
    Illustrator
  • Aranzathelady
    Gif animation
  • Trunkhill
    Subtitler
  • Jody Horton (Birdtrek)
    Trans Sensitivity Reader
  • The St Olaves Foundation Trust
    Asociated companies special thanks
  • Cornwall Pride
    Asociated companies special thanks
  • Kryolan
    Asociated companies special thanks
  • Nail Bar London
    Asociated companies special thanks
  • Elephant Studios
    Asociated companies special thanks
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Horror
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 12 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 14, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    2,200 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Blackmagic Ursa Mini
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:9:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - London South Bank University
  • BFI LSBU WGGB
    London
    United Kingdom
    June 24, 2021
    Private Work In Progress Screening
    Best Student Screenplay by The Writers Guild of Great Britain
  • Scottish Queer International Film Festival
    Glasgow
    United Kingdom
    October 9, 2021
    Scottish
    Selected
  • Out! On Film Atlanta
    Atlanta
    United States
    October 1, 2021
    U.S.A
    Selected
  • Trans Teen Film Festival

    Germany
    November 5, 2021
    Germany
    Second Prize Jury Award
Director Biography - Holly Anstey

Holly Anstey is an up-and-coming British writer and director based in London. They studied Creative Media Production at Cornwall College then went onto cultivate their passion for film at London South Bank University. Having grown up in France they are fluent in french and have a wide understanding of both urban and rural ways of life.
A queer non-binary person, they strive for LGBTQ+ representation in their work whether it be as the main focus or part of the rich worlds of their scripts.
They endeavour for all their scripts to be impactful and for each part to carry a deep meaning through subplot or on-screen techniques.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I’m Solomon Watkins writer/ producer / sound designer of The Nailing Of an Older Woman. This film addresses the separation of queer children from their grandparents which is often a choice by neither party but a choice by the parents in the middle. Yes, our grandparents don’t always understand, but whether they know or not is our decision. Every relative, who is never told a member of their family is queer, is another person with no immediate connection to the queer community. The film explores anxiety as a visual, and how if we’re told someone won’t like us and never see for ourselves we will think the worst. The ultimate goal is to bring confidence in having two distant generations accept together in harmony.