Jo Southwell
Award winning writer / director
Jo is an award-winning director of Irish decent, noted for her ability to cast, create drama, evoke emotion and pace a script to screen. Jo was selected by Directors UK as a mentee to Jon East on KILLING EVE (BBC America) a rare opportunity that has allowed her to develop her own unique style for TV and film directing, a style that is attracting much attention.
Jo established herself as award winning and versatile with titles such as DEIRDRE, COVER ME, THE GUNMAN, PORTALIS and ENTRANCE NO EXIT.
Jo is the creative producer and director of TV Series, FOLLOW ME. The series is based on a book by author Angela Clarke.
In 2020, Jo will also be shooting her second VR Interactive Film with producer Gareth Ellis-Unwin, BFI and Screenskills. Other projects include working as a freelance director with BearJam Productions ; the development of two original feature film scripts and a short with writer Tom Williams called “The Ledge.”
The Charity Film Awards
The Charity Film Awards
Working alongside The Media Trust, John Lyons Trust, Screen South and Aston Productions; Jo directed a short charity film called ” Two Hours.” Written by Tom Williams for the Family Friends Charity.
The short has just been shortlisted for The Charity Film Awards 2020.
Berlin Film Festival 2019
Berlin Film Festival 2019
In January 2019, Jo was selected as a finalist in the “That Film Festival” comeptition. After a year long run of selecting directors, Jo and six others were set a final challenge. In under three weeks, Jo had to shoot a script she was sent to be screened at the festival Awards.
This event was supported by Carnaby International and The Agency.
INDEPENDENT FILM MAKER
Jo has gained experience on both sides of the camera in the belief that a knowledge of the industry as a whole will established good foundations for future success.2020 : Writer / Director with Jo Lewis at Hipster Films on doc short called ” Lady Punch.”
2020 : Co-Producing Follow Me with Dominic Barlow and Jo Lewis.
2018 : Obtained rights for “Follow Me” by Angela Clarke.
2017 : Shadow director on Killing Eve with Jon East.
2017 : #BAFTAsLucky225
2016 : Deirdre Productions Ltd is registered for EIS.
All interested investors please get in touch for more information.
2016 : Jo was selected by BAFTA GURU PRO as a talented Film Director.
2015 : Jo was selected by Creative England as a Talented Director / Writer in their SW Module.
Festival Judge
Jo has been a film judge on several festivals within the UK. In 2020 she is working with The FishEye Film Festival
Jo is the founder and Artistic Director of The Henley Fringe and Film Festival.
AWARDS include:
- BEST Live Script Read : British Urban Film Festival (Loyalty) (2019)
- BEST Comedy Short : NRFF (2019)
- BEST FEMALE DIRECTOR : Entrance No Exit (2018)
- BEST SHORT : Fingal Film Festival (2016, Deirdre)
- BEST DRAMA : HIMPFF (2016, Deirdre)
- Best Director – Mumbai International Film Festival (COVER ME)
- Best Actress – GEFF, LA (COVER ME)
- Best Soundtrack – GEFF, LA (COVER ME)
- Nominee : Best Director Thurrock International Film Festival (September 2013) (HOLDING ON)
- Nominee : Best Fiction Thurrock International Film Festival (September 2013) (HOLDING ON)
- Nominee: Best Short Film at St Albans Film Festival (March 2013) (HOLDING ON)