TALENTED teenage Coventry filmmaker Freya Baker-Duffin has been nominated for a top prize at the 2022 Into Film Awards.
Freya’s film ‘Driven to Despair’ has been nominated for the best film for people aged between 16 and 19 and she will attend a star-studded ceremony at ODEON Luxe Leicester Square on June 28.
The short film sees a young teenager with OCD trying to stick to situations she can control, but missing her bus throws her off and she must find a way to cope with the panic setting in.
The 17-year-old decided on the topic of her piece after her film studies teacher advised her to make it about something that she cared about.
She said: “I decided to focus on OCD and anxiety, something I have dealt with personally.
“I am aware of the stigma OCD carries and people’s preconceived notions regarding the issue.
“I wanted to show a journey with OCD and compulsions as authentically as I could, and I hope this film sheds some light on an experience with the issue.”
Freya has been obsessed with creating stories since she was young, and for her work experience last year she created her own production company with a group of friends.
In February she got a work placement as a runner on set at Barnado’s.
Freya said that she was “slightly overwhelmed” when she first found out that she had been nominated for the award.
“Filmmaking is important to me because I want to bring stories to life.
“I hope that someone might watch this film and feel a bit less alone knowing that there are other people out there who deal with OCD.”
The Into Film awards celebrates the best UK offers in filmmaking and the use of the medium in education, with Eddie Redmayne, Michael Sheen and Naomie Harris among its ambassadors.
