vimeo festival + awards was created in 2010 by vimeo :: The countdown for the second edition has began. In the meantime, check our special coverage 2010 as media partner of the festival: interviews, jury, winners and films. :: welcome to inside vimeo awards
*By Anita Catania
Meet Gabriel Bisset Smith, director of Thrush, Vimeo Awards Winner in the Narrative category.
The idea of making Thrush came from stalking my ex girlfriend on Facebook, and from a short photo film my co-director Graham made of one of our nights out. I’m very happy with the finished product and surprised by how many people connect with it.
I was born and raised in London. I love the cultural scene here but public transport makes me want to rip my own eyes out.
I trained as an actor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I love acting but some of the scripts I was sent were so awful that I just thought, “I can write better than this?” I’ve always made films. My dream has always been to write and direct a feature. I currently have a play on in London, I’m developing a TV series with Channel four and working on another shortfilm.
A friend of mine in New York went to the awards for me and I didn’t give him an acceptance speech or anything as I thought there was no way we would win. I was in a club when he called so my reaction involved a lot of drink and dancing. It is by far the biggest award I’ve won and has introduced thousands of new people to my work.
David Lynch, David Fincher, Haruki Murakami, The Beatles, Malcolm X: they are my main influences and inspirational figures. I write for my friends and family. And for people who might feel isolated from the rest of the world (which is, in fact, everyone).
My greatest fears, people finding my work predictable and boring or my penis falling off.