Filmmaker Statement

Being a born and bred Bognorian, for a long time I have wanted to make a film that shows my hometown differently from how it’s been traditionally portrayed. When research revealed that the town could be underwater due to the climate crisis within my lifetime, my focus changed from wanting to show people how beautiful and community-led my hometown is, to needing to show why it should be saved. Having the backing of the BFI Doc Society meant I could fulfil this ambition of showing Bognor Regis in all its cinematic glory, whilst allowing the brilliant characters that make up the town, both to celebrate it, but also to voice the reality of the situation. The reality is that underfunded, working class towns around the UK are being ignored - despite the fact that the research shows they need support to protect them from the effects of the climate crisis. We need to make the way we talk about the crisis more accessible, and hear from the voices of communities who will be affected.