Homegrown Filmmaker’s Journey: BFI NETWORK Presents: In Conversation with Mevis Birungi and Sonja Varela + Bristol Premiere of What They Left
classified 15Please note: This was screened in Sept 2022
Whatever stage you are at in your journey in film, whether you just enjoy watching films or are starting to make your own work, this is a chance to experience the latest work from upcoming director Mevis Birungi and get an insight into her second short film project working with BFI and Blak Wave.
What They Left is a psychological thriller and exploration into the complexity of loss. Tina is battling through the stages of grief after her best friend Adora takes her own life, struggling with the guilt, distorted memories and complex emotions associated with her friend’s death. But that’s not all, before she died, Adora sent her friend one last voice note. Tina has been struggling to play it ever since…
The screening will be followed by a conversation with Mevis Birungi and actress Sonja Varela, hosted by Adam Murray (Black Bristol Horror Club).
About Mevis Birungi
Mevis is a Ugandan-born British writer, actor and aspiring director with a passion for film, storytelling and acting. She began writing scripts to create acting opportunities for herself and has since developed a passion for creating female-led stories depicting real issues often overlooked by society, drawing regularly from a BA Degree in Psychology.
She has acted in a feature film and eight short films, including recent self-made short film Inner during lockdown. Her goal is to make her own films and collaborate on others through writing, directing, acting and editing. As a writer, her short film Housewarming has been well received among festivals. Her upcoming film Nakato was selected for the BBC’s New Creatives scheme and was released in 2021.
Mevis is also part of the Creative Workforce for the Future programme.
About BFI NETWORK:
BFI NETWORK exists to support, develop and champion new filmmakers looking to kick-start their career. Made possible through National Lottery funding, they collaborate with film organisations and leading cultural venues across the UK to provide short film and early feature development funding, industry-backed professional development and networking support to producers, writers and directors of all ages. Watershed runs BFI NETWORK in the South West, open to those across the region from Cornwall to Gloucestershire to Hampshire.