Interview with Filmmaker Anna Southgate (I SEEK ASYLUM)

 I SEEK ASYLUM played to rave reviews at the March 2018 FEMALE Feedback Film Festival in Toronto.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Anna Southgate: For the past few years the Helen Bamber Foundation has held a live event ‘The Conversation’ hosted by the charity’s President, Emma Thompson. I script and produce the event (since my background is in screenwriting), but with such stellar acting talent available, it made sense to create a film that would not only screen on the night but also online and at festivals afterwards. That way we could keep the conversation about the desperate need of asylum seekers alive.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

Well… being a charity project, everything was don in a very short time and on an extremely tight budget. None of which would have…