Experiencing Interruptions?

The Projectionist

The film has closed captions available in English and other languages as well as a post credit scene after the credits.

Set in the most easterly town in England, Lowestoft, a young Projectionist (Andrew Hooper) must overcome grief and barriers created from his Mother's untimely death, and become the filmmaker she wanted to him to be.

“Then comes the beam of light out of the shadows: the Projector, the Great Projector up there behind us! Turn out the little lights so that the big light can penetrate the darkness!” - Broughton, J. (1977). Seeing the Light.

Contains 'Trip to the Moon' by Georges Méliès used by permission of Public Domain.

  • Jack RH O'Sullivan
    Director
    Tourettes & I
  • Grant Barker
    Writer
    Confessions of a Serial Killer
  • Jack O'Sullivan
    Writer
    Tourettes & I
  • Grant Barker
    Producer
  • Jack RH O'Sullivan
    Producer
  • Andrew Hooper
    Key Cast
    "Projectionist"
  • Adam Gammage
    Key Cast
    "Eric"
    The Call Out
  • Vanessa McAuley
    Key Cast
    "Shelly Sanders"
  • Simon Michael-Morgan
    Key Cast
    "Cameron"
    Doctor Who
  • Anja Kick
    Key Cast
    "Mother"
  • Leo Long
    Key Cast
    "Darren"
    I Used to be Famous
  • Reece Lambert
    Cinematography
  • Matthew Johnston
    Gaffer
  • Luke Woolley
    Sound
  • Charlotte Hughes
    Hair & Make Up
  • Jedd Bartlett
    Storyboard Artist
  • Gary Mutch
    Music
    Tourettes & I
  • Becky Morgan
    Script Supervisor / First Assistant Director
    Tourettes & I, Confessions of a Serial Killer
  • Sebastian Els
    Production Manager
  • Billy Chandler
    Runner
    Tourettes & I
  • Jim Trotman
    Behind the Scenes
  • Will J Spires
    Editors
  • Jack RH O'Sullivan
    Editors
    PsychoPath
  • Jack Grint
    Location Supervisor / Caterer
  • Rio Swatton
    VFX Artist
  • Myles Ashforth
    Camera Assistant
    A Life Changed
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Emotional, Love Letter to Cinema, Mental Health Drama
  • Runtime:
    25 minutes 41 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 28, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    750 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Close Film Festival
    Koya
    Turkey
    October 26, 2023
    Best Lead Actor - Drama / Tragedy
  • Monza Film Fest
    Monza, Lombardia
    Italy
    August 31, 2023
    Best VFX - Bimonthly Award
  • SATX Cinema Showdown
    San Antonio
    United States
    April 12, 2024
    Official Selection
  • First Time Filmmakers Lift Off Sessions
    London
    United Kingdom
    Official Selection
  • Djarfogo International Film Festival
    Cape Verde
    October 10, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Lift Off Sessions 2023
    London
    United Kingdom
    Official Selection
  • Lift Off Global Network
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 17, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Cinephiles Choice Awards
    Brazil
    Brazil
    January 24, 2024
    Nominee
Distribution Information
  • Movie Making Media
    Distributor
    Rights: All Rights, Internet, Video on Demand, Theatrical, Video / Disc, Free TV, Console / Handheld Device
  • Dark Fable Productions
    Distributor
    Country: United Kingdom
    Rights: All Rights, Internet, Theatrical, Free TV, Console / Handheld Device
Director Biography - Jack RH O'Sullivan

O'Sullivan was born with Tourette Syndrome, Aspergers Syndrome and OCD and spent his life growing up with bullying, discrimination and trying to find himself.

He found a passion for the art of movies and would frequently visit the local Cinema on a near daily basis. It was doing this and collecting old cameras such as Camcorders, Super 8, and SD Cameras that he found his calling... to be a Film Director. He has since formed Movie Making Media, directed twelve short films.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Before embarking on the journey of directing 'The Projectionist, I thought about my past experience with depression and mental health, and how cinema helped me in times of despair. I had for years wanted to tell a story about said subject, and it wasn't till after our festival success with 'Tourettes & I' about my experience with Tourette Syndrome, I found we had an audience who wanted to learn more about mental health and a platform to tell it. So my co-writer / Producer Grant Barker and I embarked on writing an intimate, emotional story of mental health and beg the question... Can cinema help in times of despair?

This short film is a love letter to cinema, but at its true core, it is an in-depth character study into mental health and grief - based depression.

This short was a labour of love, all involved believed in the story and wanted to tell it. It was a first for a lot of reasons, first time shooting with an entire film using an iPhone 13, the Filmic Pro app, and with smartphone anamorphic lenses, our lead actor Andrew Hooper's making his film debut and our film first shot entirely out of London, filming in the beautiful easterly town of Lowestoft.

Depression is something we all face at some point, or have known someone with it, and we have all lost someone. We wanted an emotional drama which wasn't scared to delve into these deep topics.