Film sets Adam on road to success

Teesside University student Adam Mendum, was overwhelmed at the success of his final year film ‘Daffodils for Dad’ after it received glowing industry praise.

Adam’s film was shown at this year’s annual Gala Screening, which showcases the work of the University’s final year production students.

A panel of judges made up of industry experts and film makers, are invited to each event to give feedback on the work as well as present awards.

Adam's film ‘Daffodils for Dad’ won the prize for ‘best film’ which is decided by the judges, this year it was unanimous, with the panel having no need to debate the winner.

The film is a drama that uses the conventions and techniques of documentary storytelling, ‘Daffodils for Dad’ follows the lives of two young adults as they speculate and prepare for their looming future as parents.

Reflecting on his success, Adam who studied BA (Hons) Television and Film Production, said: 'I was overwhelmed by the immediate interest from panel members, a number of who have since extended the chance to meet with them to discuss future plans, amongst other exciting opportunities.

'Connections with such well-established industry professionals are a truly priceless outcome of the screening, and entirely worth every effort I put forward into the making of my film.

“With continued guidance from tutors, I've developed and set a firm plan for film festival entries in motion, leaving me confident that ‘Daffodils for Dad’ will continue to succeed in the future.”

Howard Burch, Executive Producer at Vertigo Films and one of the panel members at the screening, said: 'I was really blown away by ‘Daffodils for Dad’, which has to be one of the most accomplished and polished student films I've ever seen. Both myself and my fellow professionals on the final screenings' panel were made to look incredibly foolish in not spotting that this was a fake-doc or mockumentary sooner than we did. But even on the second and third viewing it is still really hard to 'spot the joins'.

'Adam is a director who has carefully studied the stylistic tricks and devices of the fly-on-the-wall doc and utilised that verisimilitude into a compelling, thought-provoking and richly satisfying short. I can't wait to see what this very real talent comes up with next.'

Adam’s final year tutor, Warren Harrison, Principal Lecturer in Media Production, added: 'We are delighted that Adam’s hard work and creative vision has had the recognition it very much deserves and we look forward to his continued success.'

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