#1: Can you describe your movie and why somebody should see it?

When the truth about his gay, war veteran grandfather is exposed, a young boy finds the strength to stand up to bullies in an unusual way.

#2: What do you want the Borrego Springs Film Festival audience to know about your film that isn’t obvious from its title?

SPARROW is based on a true story.

It has now accrued 15 international awards and the Borrego Springs Film Festival is its 70th Official Selection [for which we are very grateful]. However the major festivals in my own country refused to screen the work. You can see the subsequent festival selections and awards for SPARROW here.

If you scroll down on this website you will also see a selection of the hundreds of drawings I did before transferring the story to a written screenplay [So I don’t write scripts first. I draw the world to find the story - then I translate these sketches into written language.] This is why the film is so visually rich.

#3: What is your movie making background? Tell us about yourself.

I once made terrible television programmes but I had an ethical melt down - and decided to make a few highly crafted works that I would be proud to leave in the world. Sparrow is my third short film. My first short ‘Boy’ was longlisted for the Oscars.

My second short film Munted won numerous international festivals and design awards.

#4: What was the biggest lesson learned in getting your film made?

You have to hold tightly to the vision of your work or other people’s anxieties will cause it to be diluted. SPARROW was made without narrative or artistic compromise.

#5: What does the future hold for your film and you?

Next year we are shooting a feature film called PUNCH. It asks what might have happened to the boy in SPARROW if he in fact, became a highly successful young boxer. The feature explores the nature of love between a father and a son when the boy turns is back on everything is father has invested in him.

5Q's w/Welby Ings "Sparrow" Director