As the 69th BFI London Film Festival (LFF) draws to a close, one can’t help but wonder: What’s next for the brilliant minds behind films like Rose of Nevada, Little Amélie, and Kim Novak’s Vertigo? Over a series of intimate Filmmaker Afternoon Tea sessions, The Hollywood Reporter sat down with the creators of these standout films to uncover their future plans and delve into the stories behind their work. But here’s where it gets intriguing—these conversations reveal not just their upcoming projects, but also the deeper themes and personal experiences that shape their art.
Rose of Nevada: Directed by Mark Jenkin and produced by Denzil Monk, this time-travel drama set in a Cornish fishing village pairs George MacKay and Callum Turner in a captivating time loop. While the film isn’t overtly political, it subtly weaves in social issues, highlighting the stark contrasts between privilege and poverty in the UK. ‘These are different worlds that coexist, and nowhere more so than in Cornwall,’ Monk reflects. Jenkin adds, ‘It’s shocking to think we didn’t have food banks in the 1990s, and now they’re normalized. We have a responsibility to highlight these changes without preaching.’ And this is the part most people miss—the film’s ability to mirror reality, like when Jenkin wrote a scene about a leaky roof, only for Monk to experience it in real life. ‘I’m worried about what Mark writes now,’ Monk jokes. ‘What if it comes true?’
Controversially, Jenkin points out the industry’s dual obsession with both progressive storytelling and the romanticization of ‘posh British people.’ ‘There’s a lot of change, but some things remain stubbornly the same,’ he notes. Currently, the duo is juggling four projects, with Jenkin admitting, ‘As I get older, I need to speed things up.’ But which project will take the lead? That remains a tantalizing mystery.
Little Amélie: This animated gem, co-directed by Maïlys Vallade and produced by Claire La Combe, transports audiences to the whimsical world of a Belgian girl in Japan. Adapted from Amélie Nothomb’s The Character of Rain, the film has been sold to over 20 countries, including Japan—a feat La Combe calls ‘really odd but incredibly proud.’ Vallade’s use of flat, solid colors and line-free animation creates a visually stunning experience. ‘We wanted to express sensitivity, color, and light,’ she explains. With a passion for symbolic and philosophical stories, Vallade is already dreaming up new projects. ‘I love nostalgia,’ she shares. ‘It’s a powerful force in storytelling.’
Kim Novak’s Vertigo: Directed by Alexandre O. Philippe, this documentary offers an intimate look at the screen icon’s life. ‘She’s a private person, but once you’re in, you’re family,’ Philippe reveals. Yet, Novak can effortlessly switch into ‘icon mode,’ embodying the glamor of Hollywood’s Golden Age. ‘That aura is vanishing,’ Philippe laments. ‘She’s the last of her kind.’ His next projects are equally ambitious: a dual-film Nosferatu project, another Vertigo-related film, a deep dive into the mafia’s relationship with cinema, and possibly even an Evil Dead venture. ‘There’s a lot of stuff!’ he exclaims.
But here’s the real question: As these filmmakers push boundaries and challenge conventions, what stories will resonate most with audiences? Will Jenkin’s subtle social commentary spark debate? Can Vallade’s nostalgic, philosophical approach redefine animation? And will Philippe’s celebration of a bygone era inspire a new generation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—which of these projects are you most excited about, and why?
