Biography

Claire Oakley's debut feature, the psycho-sexual drama Make Up, stars Bafta-winner Molly Windsor and was released to critical acclaim in 2020. ​Claire's short films explore similar themes of identity and place with an atmospheric visual style and can be viewed on Curzon.​​Claire is developing her next films with the BFI and BBC Films and is writing her own TV series with Sky and Little Door Productions. She also directed three episodes of the upcoming Disney+ thriller, Culprits, which was produced by Character 7 and J Blakeson. Claire is also a co-founder of Cinesisters, a peer-to-peer mentoring group for female directors.
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Other Credits

James Short Film View
Description Year
Set in 1796, James is based on the true story of James Phipps, the 8-yr-old gardener's son used by Dr Jenner to test to the world’s first smallpox vaccine. It explores the courage and sacrifice of a disempowered family. Starring Jack Hollington, Morgan Watkins and Robert Cavanah, James was commissioned by The Wellcome Trust and was written by Felix Levinson. The film premiered at Brest International Film Festival, 2014 and is now a teaching resource freely available to schools across the country. 2014
Tracks Short Film View
Description Year
Tracks is a short film about a father and son whose relationship is challenged on a hunting trip. It explores the weight and expectation of tradition and our relationship with nature. Starring Gordon Brown and John Bell, Tracks was commissioned by Rankin Film Productions’ Collabor8te scheme. The script was developed with Tristan Goligher from The Bureau. The film premiered at Edinburgh Film Festival, 2014. WINNER BEST DIRECTOR, Underwire Film Festival 2014, SPECIAL MENTION BEST FEMALE DIRECTOR, London Short Film Festival 2015, NOMINATED CHANNEL 4 AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE STORYTELLING, Glasgow Film Festival 2015, NOMINATED SHORT FILM PRIZE, Shuffle Film Festival 2015 2014
Physics Short Film View
Description Year
Physics is about two 9-yr-old girls trying to come to terms with the negative feelings they have about their town at the base of a nuclear power station. It explores the frustrations and powerlessness of children who wants to live in a better world. Starring Peep Show's Matt King and newcomers Jodie Bastow and Masie Hopkins, Physics was commissioned by Film London as part of thier London Calling scheme and was funded with support from Tomboy Films and Working Title Films. It premiered at the BFI London Film Festival, 2012. ​ WINNER BEST FILM, Best of Boroughs 2012, BIFA Longlist 2012. "The young actresses are excellent, though it is Claire’s visual flourishes that linger long after the credits have rolled." SIMRAN HANS, FILM4 2012
Beautiful Enough Short Film View
Description Year
Beautiful Enough is about a young girl who is set on making herself look more like the images of women she sees in magazines. The film explores cultural obsessions with beauty. Starring Miffy Englefield, Beautiful Enough was Claire's first film and was made for £500. WINNER BEST PERSONAL NARRATIVE, Amsterdam Film Festival, 2011. ​ "Beautifully composed, yet sinister and dark. Beautiful Enough is a haunting but gorgeously shot film" DIRECTOR'S NOTES 2010
Pumeza: Tuning In Short Documentary View
Description Year
A short documentary about how South African soprano Pumeza Matshikiza prepares for a performance. The film was commissioned by Universal Music and premiered on Nowness on 31st May 2016. ​ "I found it inspiring, pure and true" GUILLERMO DEL TORO, TWITTER "A delicately shot short documentary" VISION TIMES 2016

Non-Directorial Credits

Waterfall View
Description
Waterfall is an essay-film about memory and grief and how they are embedded in the landscape. Directed by Tom Lock-Griffiths and produced by Claire Oakley, the film was shot entirely underwater in the canals, rivers and reservoirs of London. ​ BEST EXPERIMENTAL SHORT, Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, 2017 - WINNER

Skills

  • Arts
  • Lecturing
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