Paul’s practice focuses on collaboration with marginalised and working class communities, the effects of austerity and a Britain in conflict on analogue cine and stills formats.
His most recent 16mm film “Mirrors”, funded by BFI Doc Society with support from The Eaton Fund and Oppenheim-Downes Trust, premiered at Sheffield DocFest 2022 and was longlisted for best short film at the British Independent Film Awards.
In 2018 he was awarded the ‘Portrait of Britain’ prize by the British Journal of Photography and his work was exhibited nationwide. In recent years he has received funding from Arts Council England, Video Jam and The Chalk Cliff Trust.
He continues to run 16mm workshops to pass on the analogue methodology and foster mentorship roles with students.
What began as a document of trades, traditions, cultures and home environments in contemporary England evolved and expanded to become an all-consuming project. Mirrors is a witness to unprecedented events as they unfolded on this singular isle over seven extraordinary years.
From volatile public demonstrations to intimate domestic scenes, the film reveals the experience and emotions of living in England, explored through the lives of total strangers as well as family and friends. Shot exclusively on 16mm film, Mirrors is both lucid diary and poetic map - a meditation on human resilience in the most challenging era of our lifetime.
Director & Cinematographer - Paul Daly Producer - Jacqui Davies Executive Producer - Lisa Marie Russo Editor & Additional Sound Design - Adam Biskupski Composer, Sound Designer & Mixer - Stefan Smith Vocal Composition & Performance - Zeina Nasr Type Design - Jack Kimberley Colourist - Gareth Bishop
Additional Cinematography - Nathan Starr Assistant Editor - Inigo Manby Picture Post Production - Dirty Looks Film Development & Telecine - Cinelab London Additional Film Development - Digital Orchard Film Stock - Kodak
Funded by BFI Doc Society, The Chalk Cliff Trust, Oppenheim-John Downes Memorial Trust, The Eaton Fund, and Video Jam
Sheffield DocFest 2022 - International Short Competition Longlisted BIFA Short Film Award 2022
Coventry Cathedral (Special screening)
Flatpack Film Festival 2023 Big Picture Festival 2023
Aesthetica Film Festival 2023
SHADOWS
Documentary | 16mm | 4:3 | 90 min
It’s the days that separate the night
The shadows by which we recognise the light
Director & Cinematographer - Paul Daly
In development
Please contact for access to treatment
FURNITURE OF MY IMAGINATION
Artist Moving Image | 16mm | 4:3
A study of solitude as a medicinal melancholy, a necessary and positive method for introspection and reflection as well as home to one’s own despairing and weighted thoughts of mortality. Focussing on my own father, the images were born from our relationship with this state of being. The city of Coventry’s culture, history and concrete landscape’s impact on my persona also plays its part.
The film was made in response to 18th Century diary excerpts provided by Warwick University based researcher Dr Naomi Pullin. The title was taken from a poem by diarist Gertrude Saville.
Filmmaker - Paul Daly Subject - Gerard Daly Researcher - Dr Naomi Pullin
Commissioned by Coventry Creates Funded by Arts Council England
A series of a dozen domestic vignettes that draw from the artist’s experiences and memories of growing up working-class in Britain. Each individual, moving portrait is a sensitive and at times surreal exploration that walks a fine line between documentary truth and poetic interpretation.
Director, Writer, Camera - Paul Daly Producer - Scout Stuart Sound Design - Dean Jones
Art Department - Eilis Healy
Subjects - Svenja Buehl, Yandass Ndlovu, Zachary Chattaway, Frances Higginson, Marly Greasley, Daniel Paños, Chan-Yang Kim, Astarte Cara & Lee Beckett
Seed funded by HOME Manchester, currently seeking finishing funds
BECKETT
Artist Moving Image | 16mm | 4:3 | 7 min
Living in isolation, Beckett struggles to find direction in his life. He acts to change his ways and faces the family he has neglected.
The film centres on masculine silence and emotional inhibition, exploring the personal and physical effects of this.
This is underlined by the artist’s personal reflections stated as subtitles, enabling the viewer to silently echo these thoughts.
Premiered at London Short Film Festival 2018
Screened at British Shorts Festival Berlin, South London Shorts and HOME Manchester
Director, Writer, Camera, Edit - Paul Daly Production - Delaval Film Sound Design - Chris Fisher Colourist - Ruth Wardell Art Department - Eilis Healy
Beckett - Lee Beckett Woman - Cara Williams Son - Harry McRoy
