Claire Oakley
Writer / Director
Film, TV & Theatre
Claire’s debut feature, the psycho-sexual drama Make Up starring Bafta-winner Molly Windsor, was released in 2020 by Curzon Artificial Eye to critical acclaim, gaining four and five star reviews from The Telegraph, The Guardian, Time Out, The Times, The Financial Times, Empire and Little White Lies. The film was described by The Times as ‘an unsettling blend of bleak naturalism and swirling reverie with echoes of Don’t Look Now’.
Claire's award-winning short films have explored similar themes around identity with a suspenseful, atmospheric visual style and she has been commissioned by the Wellcome Trust, Film London, Rankin and Universal Music. Her previous work also includes an experimental film shot underwater, which she produced.
Claire is developing her next films with the BFI and BBC Films and is writing her own TV series. She was chosen as a Screen Star of Tomorrow, 2019 and is a graduate of Torino Film Lab, BFI Network, EIFF Talent Lab and iFeatures. She is also a co-founder of Cinesisters, a peer-to-peer mentoring group for female directors.
You can see more of her work on her website www.claireoakley.com
In Development
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
ENGLISH ANIMALS 2020 | BFI, Redbreast Productions | Feature adaptation of Laura Kaye’s novel co-written with Emily Marcuson, in development with the BFI. |
Film
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
MAKE UP 2020 | BBC Films, BFI, Creative England, iFeatures, Quiddity Films | Nominated for the Sutherland First Feature Award at BFI London Film Festival (2019), the Adam Yauch Hornblower Award at SXSW (2020), the Hitchcock Award at Dinard Film Festival (2020), the Golden Athena at Athens Film Festival (2020) |
Short Films
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
2016 | Decca, Universal Music | Documentary about South African soprano Pumeza Matshikiza |
TRACKS 2014 | Rankin Film Productions, Quiddity Films | Winner of ‘Best Director’ at Underwire Film Festival (2014), Special Mention at London Short Film Festival (2014), nominated for the Channel 4 Award for Innovative Storytelling (2014). |
JAMES 2014 | Welcome Trust | Commissioned by the Wellcome Trust |
PHYSICS 2012 | Film London, Quiddity Films, Tomboy Films, Working Title Films | Winner of Film London’s 'Best of Boroughs' Jury Award (2012) |
BEAUTIFUL ENOUGH 2011 | Winner of Best Personal Narrative at Amsterdam Film Festival (2011) |