Tom Gentle Writer / Director

Agent: Christina Pickworth [email protected] +44 (0)7876 685515

Tom is a Writer/Director from . His most recent lockdown short, Pawsea (or: The Melancholy Ruminations of a Solitary French Bulldog) had its premieres at Academy- accredited Flickerfest Short Film Festival, Riverrun Film Festival and Vienna Short Film Festival. His other shorts have been developed and funded by BFI: Network and Creative and won awards at festivals around the world.

Meanwhile, Tom has taken part in the , Storyfutures and Reykjavik talent labs. He is currently undertaking the Directors UK Inspire programme, mentoring under Bodyguard and Line of Duty director John Strickland, on the Amazon Studios show THE RIG. This has led to him directing several 2nd Unit scenes.

In the last year Tom has made several TV commercials, and is currently developing his first feature, several shorts, and a TV pilot.

IN DEVELOPMENT

PRESENT Feature film (with proof of concept short). When a mysterious virus emerges in (writer/director) a Glasgow of the future, an unyielding ex-farmer must learn to communicate with his autistic daughter before it destroys the safety he has built around them.

STRAWBERRY FILTER TV Comedy. An ambitious Production Runner has an inspired plan to get (co-writer) himself in the Director’s chair, but must rally a crew of hapless industry pawns and dodge all of the shit being rolled downhill if he is to get his big break.

TELEVISION

THE RIG Amazon Studios TV series. Initially part of the Directors UK year-long (trainee director/2nd unit director) Inspire mentorship programme shadowing Bodyguard/Line of Duty director John Strickland through pre-production and filming. This has led to Tom directing several 2nd Unit scenes.

SHORTS

PAWSEA (OR: THE MELANCHOLY Short film. Rocky certainly has a lot on his mind – questioning his purpose RUMINATIONS OF A SOLITARY and attempting to fortify himself against existential angst as he searches for FRENCH BULLDOG meaning – quite a lot for a French Bulldog to master. (writer/director) *Official Selection: Flickerfest International Short Film Festival *Official Selection: Riverrun International Film Festival *Official Selection: Glasgow Short Film Festival *Official Selection: Vienna Short Film Festival

Contact: Christina Pickworth | [email protected] | +44 (0) 7876 685515 L Tom Gentle Writer / Director

IN THE FALL A short film based on an original story by the legendary Canadian writer (writer/director) Alistair MacLeod – Faced with the ageing of his faithful workhorse, a man is forced to confront his own mortality and consider a sacrifice to ensure his family’s survival. *WINNER Best Scottish Film, Edinburgh Short Film Festival *WINNER Hilton Earl Memorial Prize, Glasgow Short Film Festival *NOMINATED for Best British Film, London Short Film Festival *NOMINATED for Golden Egg award, Reykjavik International Film Festival *Other festival screenings include FIN: Atlantic International Film Festival 2018 (World Premiere), Cromarty Film Festival, Edmonton International Film Festival, Film Festival.

BLINDSIDED Short film. When Will is dumbfounded by (what he thinks is) the worst news (writer/director) imaginable, university friend Rupert is the first person to pick up the phone. Screened at Glasgow Short Film Festival and Inverness Film Festival.

LOST GIRL Short film. An everyday experience transforms into a nightmare for a young (writer/director/producer) girl who loses herself in a supermarket. Screened at Film Quest (World Premiere), London Short Film Festival, Amsterdam Lift Off Film Festival, Shortcutz, Motel/X Lisbon International Horror Film Festival.

DOCUMENTARY

UHURU A 3-month documentary shoot in North-Western Tanzania. The film’s focus (director/camera operator) was the stigma and stereotyping of people with disabilities in the Mara region of the country. Screened at San Francisco International Documentary Film Festival, Zanzibar International Film Festival (World Premiere), Africa in Motion.

COMMERCIALS

THE GLENDRONACH: A RARE A series of commerical films for the boutique Scottish whisky brand. Currently DEDICATION in post-production. (director)

CREDITFIX: VANISHING A 30 second dramatic TVC portraying the alientating experience of falling into (director) debt.

STV PLAYER: YOU’RE THE BOSS A series of 30 and 20 second comedic adverts for the Scottish broadcaster, (director) promoting the relaunch of their online player.

FAMOUS GROUSE: A WELL 60 and 90 second advert for legendary whisky brand. DESERVED NIGHTCAP (director)

ATOS COMMERCIALS A set of 3 three minute films commissioned by IAS. The films had a strong (producer/director) documentary aesthetic and used non-actors.

PODCAST

OPENING SHOT A podcast charting Tom’s real-time progress in bringing his first feature from (host) concept to the screen. Co-hosted with 1st AD Fraser Malcolm, discussing the long and difficult process of getting a film made and all that it entails.

Contact: Christina Pickworth | [email protected] | +44 (0) 7876 685515