Durban North filmmakers bag international award with Covid-19 shortfilm

DURBAN North filmmakers Tami and Dylan Marriott won best short film at the Enfoque International Film Festival in Puerto Rico as they shone a lens on loneliness and mental health concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic. Their short film, Alone, was one of 475 entries from around the globe. What’s more, the couple, who are founders of The Edit Room, are receiving acceptance letters nearly every day from other international film festivals. They are also producing another short film – written, filmed and edited during lockdown.

“We are hoping to make a feel-good movie that inspires connectivity while maintaining social distancing. This should be released over the next month,” said Tami Marriott.

While the couple is thrilled with their latest award, the message and the impact of the film is what makes it a real success in their eyes.

“I have had so many reactions from complete strangers saying how moved they were and that they are now going to reach out to their loved ones on a daily basis,” said Marriott.

It’s just the affect the filmmakers had hoped to achieve, she added.

“When Covid-19 and lockdown first began and the scramble to settle somewhere safe started, my heart ached for those stuck in small flats, with their only outdoor experience being the sunlight coming in through their windows. I wanted to reach out and inspire connectivity and a sense of community- ubuntu at its core,” said said.

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Actress Emma Devine who appears in the footage, was playing the role of a woman trapped in a zombie apocalypse – an unfinished project filmed by the couple years ago. Realising that the footage would be perfect for a project about the current pandemic, the filmmakers set to work editing a new film with a new script. Marriott drew on the concept of isolation, a parallel theme in the original project and current edit.

“I think a lot of the time when global pandemics strike, people go into ‘survival mode ‘- everyone needs to be able to eat, find shelter and feel safe. The area I think is often neglected in is mental health and the lasting impact that can have. Isolation leads to depression and anxiety,” said Marriott.

With the adapted script, Marriott found voice over artist, Savannah Schtutzler online.

“She fitted the part beautifully. She is in Cape Town and in order to record our voice over, she used her cell phone and sat in her car to keep the noise down,” she said.

Marriott who directed the film and wrote the script called the project a team effort, crediting director of photography and editor, Lelanie du Preez; Devin Carter who was responsible for lighting, sound designer, Nux Schwartz and husband, Dylan Marriott who was the executive producer, finishing editor and colour artist.

“Dylan seems to have a way of making something truly beautiful and polished with his intense attention to detail,” she added.

To watch Alone, visit editroom.co.za or search for The Edit Room on social media. Hitting the ‘like’ button could help these filmmakers bring home the gold.

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