Coky was one of our first judges when the festival launched in 2020. With an impressive list of directing credits in film and television, she is much in demand. She has been very busy over the past couple of years, so had to take a break from judging. But now she’s back!
Coky’s film credits include Stella Does Tricks, Women Talking Dirty, How to Build a Girl, and Greatest Days. Her TV work includes such major productions such as Wuthering Heights, Oliver Twist, Save Me, and The Hour.
Coky says she loves short films and takes great pleasure viewing the entries submitted to our festival from all over the world. So what makes a great short?
“For me it’s about the character, and about a story that is heartfelt and has integrity,” she says.
“I can always smell something that is fake. I can always smell something that is self-consciously constructed. I think a film has to come from a place of truth and heart. So even if I direct something really dark and bleak, I always want redemption, I always want to feel there is a glimmer of hope.
“To my mind, short films are like perfectly formed tiny versions of movies, with three little acts. What I look for is a beginning, a middle and an end. But there is space out there for films that are pilots and act as teasers for the bigger event.
“Ealing Film Festival is encouraging people from all backgrounds and all abilities to get up and be an artist. Everyone has that potential.”