I trained as a director at the National Film & Television School and have spent a career making drama, documentary and social-action film.

I have directed for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, HBO in the United States, TG4 in Ireland and M6 in France. Three of my short films have won major awards, and I have been commissioned as a screenwriter — including a personal project for BBC Films set in the children’s home where I grew up.

Where it began

My film-making began in care advocacy. I made the first ‘care’ videos ever produced in the UK, then directed films for charities and campaigning organisations — among them the National Foster Care Association, Community Service Volunteers and the National Children’s Bureau — and worked as Barnardo’s film officer, with special responsibility for film-making and media education.

Media assessor

I work as a media assessor for Coimisún na Meán (CnaM) — Ireland’s media commission, formerly the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland — evaluating funding applications across television, feature film, documentary, animation and community broadcasting, judged on cultural value, creative ambition, budget, heritage, diversity, partnerships and skills development. I have also carried out qualitative assessment for the European Union’s production fund.

Teaching

For over thirty years I have taught production and media literacy — in universities, schools and community settings — with a particular commitment to opening pathways for care-experienced people into the industry.