Interview with Joanna Farrow at Summer 2026 Event
CREATORS CORNER
INTERVIEW
by Bethany Wilde
7/27/2026
WRITER DIRECTOR PRODUCER
Interview: Joanna Farrow
The Gilden Guard
Summer 2026 brought
The Gilden Guard (2026)
wonderful experiences and guests from far away.
Joanna Farrow is an aspiring director from England. She completed her debut film 'The Gilden Guard' to tell an ancient, 4000-year-old story of the Fish and the Bird. The film invites you to explore a paradox: "A fish and a bird may fall in love, but where will they build a home together?"
The film captured the hearts of the Spring season judges and the film received the 'Honorable Mention' Award.
-Tell us, how long did it take to produce your film?
" It took me about, I would say, two months from the first, initial idea to completion. It’s a university project, I’ve just started a film school."
WANT TO SHARE YOUR HIDDEN SCI-FI TREASURE WITH THE TOP QUARK FESTIVAL?
Jamie Jeffries starring in The Gilden Guard (2026)
" A boy and his great uncle find themselves travelling through a portal to a secret garden."
-Where did you find an idea for your film?
" I grew up with mythology, it just seems to be everywhere! I got an idea watching my son playing, having fun with my stepdad. And it got me thinking about intergenerational friendships and how some old people how, you know, down the line and some younger people don’t have some strong role model in their lives. And I’ve been thinking about the Green Man and mythology and everything. And all mixed up together, and I thought: “What way can I make sense in a short five-minute film?” And I thought of a Bird and a Fish paradox, so that’s where it all came from really."
-What does your film school learning look like and how long will it take to complete?
" Well, it’s actually just a Year Zero at Norwich University – integrated foundation year. I’m starting year one in September, and then I’ll have… so four years altogether, so another three years. "
Joanna Farrow
-Do you have other works or projects in development?
" Yes! I’ve really made another one and I’ve got two scripts, almost finished, to make my future films."
-How did you find it, easy to travel to Edinburgh?
" Actually nice and relaxing. Travelled all the way from Norwich, 5-6 hours on a train. And we’ve got a hotel for a night and we are very excited for it."
-We hope some of the work you will see today at the festival will serve as an inspiration.
" I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone’s work. "
Sapphire Hawthorn starring in The Gilden Guard (2026)
DIRECTED BY
The space on the Earth
Massimo Bulgarelli
One of the best misdirection
Pietro Marone starring in The space on the Earth (2023)
stories inspired by H.G.Wells's 'The War of the Worlds'.
A true little gem of the sci-fi genre. Wonderful twist in the plot, taking anyone who watches it by surprise at the end. Massimo Bulgarelli successfully recreated the Italian 60s era, using a wide range of props and tools: a lamp radio, costumes, a starry night and sound.
Talented Pietro Marone performs alone on screen throughout the entire film, but the radio voices make it a crowd. The story takes all the usual turns right until the moment of the unexpected twist. We are not going to spoil it for anyone, so this will be left out of this article.
WANT TO SHARE YOUR HIDDEN SCI-FI TREASURE WITH THE TOP QUARK FESTIVAL?
CREW & CAST
Director:
Writer:
DOP:
Key Cast:
Year:
Original Title:
Run Time:
Massimo Bulgarelli
Massimo Bulgarelli
Xiao Duan
Pietro Marone, Stefano Annunziato, Daniele Di Martino, Mariachiara Di Mitri
2023
Lo spazio sulla Terra
13:59
The radio announces that something dangerous has come to earth...
" On a spring night the radio announces that something dangerous has come to earth. Something from outer space."
WRITER DIRECTOR PRODUCER
Interview: DO NOT USE IT
The Gilden Guard
Summer 2026 brought
Jamie Jeffries starring in The Gilden Guard (2026)
wonderful experiences and guests from far away.
Joanna Farrow is an aspiring director from England. She completed her debut film 'The Gilden Guard' to tell an ancient, 4000-year-old story of the Fish and the Bird. The film invites you to explore a paradox: "A fish and a bird may fall in love, but where will they build a home together?"
The film captured the hearts of the Spring season judges and the film received the 'Honorable Mention' Award.
-Tell us, what was the biggest challenge during filming?
'The biggest challenge was to organise people and places in timely manner.
Long travel brought Joanna a lot of good memories and a wonderful show. Top Quark Festival is looking forward to Joanna's return next year with a new project!
WANT TO SHARE YOUR HIDDEN SCI-FI TREASURE WITH THE TOP QUARK FESTIVAL?
CREW & CAST
Director:
Writer:
DOP:
Key Cast:
Year:
Original Title:
Run Time:
Massimo Bulgarelli
Massimo Bulgarelli
Xiao Duan
Pietro Marone, Stefano Annunziato, Daniele Di Martino, Mariachiara Di Mitri
2023
Lo spazio sulla Terra
13:59
