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Two Worlds, One Bay
Storytelling through Photography and Miniatures at The Bay International Film Festival
The Platform, Morecambe | 26–30 November 2024
By Dr Anna Henderson | 29 June 2025
Two Worlds, One Bay. 2024. Exhibition View.
Photo by Anna Henderson
Amidst the shifting shoreline of Morecambe Bay, Two Worlds, One Bay offered a compelling convergence of landscape and imagination. Curated by artist Zan Wang for The Bay International Film Festival, this dual exhibition reimagined the theme Stories Beyond Borders by bringing together the photography of the beauty of Morecambe Bay with the cinematic miniatures. Wang draws from Michel Foucault’s concept of heterotopia — spaces that exist as layered counter-sites, reflecting and disturbing familiar orders — designing the layout as a dialogue between multiple realities.
The exhibition was sited in the disused Morecambe Visitor Centre, a choice that symbolised both sustainable reuse and a dialogue with historical space. The venue itself carried cinematic metaphor — it functioned as a liminal zone between reality and fiction. Through curatorial intervention, the former visitor centre was revitalised, becoming a threshold space where viewers could step into and out of the world of cinema.
The exhibition was structured as two interwoven narratives: one showcasing 40 striking images selected from a five-month-long open call competition, the other presenting a retrospective of miniature film sets by local artist Josh Backhouse. The photographs, ranging from sweeping coastal views to intimate glimpses of hidden shorelines, highlighted the Bay’s natural beauty, the talent of the local community, and its vibrant spirit.
Two Worlds, One Bay. 2024. Exhibition View.
Photo by Xindu Wang
The first thing one sees walking into the exhibition is the behind-the-scenes documentary of Backhouse's miniature work. The centre of the room was dedicated to Backhouse’s intricate miniatures — meticulously recreated iconic scenes from popular films and TV series, such as The Shining, Stranger Things, and Fargo. The existing visitor centre’s counter is used as a presentation table for Backhouse’s miniatures. Some lit from within, inviting viewers to lean in and peer into the miniature scenes. The space behind the counter displays documented images of the miniatures, evoking a sense of a private working studio space. As Wang wrote in the exhibition catalogue, which she designed for Backhouse’s showcase, "More than just miniatures, these creations become portals to the in-between moments — the liminal spaces of storytelling that make cinema so powerful. As Josh’s tiny worlds show us, art and film can shrink down to fit in our hands, yet still hold the vastness of emotion, memory, and imagination."
Two Worlds, One Bay. 2024. Exhibition View.
Photo by Xindu Wang
The photographs encircle the entire space, guiding visitors along a fluid, dynamic pathway that breaks from the traditional white-cube exhibition. Photography and miniatures are rhythmically layered throughout the space. The viewer is never situated fully in one world or another but constantly shifting between, much like cinema itself.
Two Worlds, One Bay exhibition not only showcases local talent but also explores how image, object, and space come together to form a story larger than the sum of its parts. As such, this exhibition offers a compelling visual experience that responds closely to the Bay International Film Festival’s theme of "Stories Beyond Borders" by weaving together cross-disciplinary narratives and celebrating the fusion of art, cinema, and local creativity.
Two Worlds, One Bay. 2024. Exhibition View.
Photo by Yifan Zhang
SERIES 5 OF ITV CRIME DRAMA THE BAY TO PREMIERE AT OUR FESTIVAL!
16 August 2024
“Morecambe is the home of The Bay so we’re delighted to be presenting the premiere of series 5 there,” said series showrunner Daragh Carville. We’re thrilled too to be a part of the festival, a celebration of this brilliant place and its vibrant artistic culture."
Daragh said that when he started developing The Bay, part of his motivation was to highlight a place that he felt had been unfairly overlooked for too long. “I hoped to put Morecambe on the UK TV map,” he said. "Five series later, I think we can safely say we’ve managed to do that. Morecambe has played host to the filming of The Bay for five series now, and it’s been a joy to see how the community has taken us to heart, in spite of road closures and traffic delays, and all the hassles of a busy filming schedule. We literally couldn’t make this show anywhere else and we couldn’t do it without the support of the local community. So thanks so much for all your warmth and generosity in putting up with us.
Since The Bay began shooting in Morecambe, a host of other productions, including the high profile Harlan Coben adaptations for Netflix, have filmed in Morecambe and the wider Bay area. "Long may it last,” said Daragh. "The creative industries are among the UK’s most successful exports – The Bay has been sold to over 140 territories worldwide – and every corner of the UK deserves to benefit from this success. My hope is that in the future Morecambe will become the hub of a vibrant film and TV culture.”
Morecambe residents and guests will be able to see the first episode on series 5 in Reel Cinema on the 8th of November. The screening will be followed by Q&A with the creators. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when the tickets will go on sale.
THE FESTIVAL STARTS A REGULAR COMMUNITY EVENT - SCREENWRITING GROUP!
23 July 2024
We just partnered with the Gregson Centre in Lancaster, to crate a free monthly Screenwriters Group open to all interested in writing for the screen.
Led by Enni Red, an award-winning screenwriter, the group will meet on Sundays, with exact dates announced in advance. The inaugural session is scheduled for August 11, from 10 am to 2 pm.
Schedule:
- 11.00: Morning coffee and discussion of daily plans
- 12.00-14.00: Individual writing time
- 14.00: Lunch (can be ordered in Gregson) + group discussion on work progress
This inclusive community welcomes writers of all levels, from beginners to experienced screenwriters. Newcomers can receive a brief guidance from the group leader to kickstart their first screenplay.
From the third meeting onward, depending on participants' interests and skill levels, sessions may incorporate creative exercises focusing on idea generation, character development, and dialogue writing. Table read sessions with local actors may also be included in the future.
Join us to develop your craft, share ideas, and connect with fellow screenwriters in a supportive environment.
Group leader - Enni Red
After more than fifteen years’ work experience in Russia writing scripts for independent theatrical performances, television, and holding different positions in filmmaking process (screenwriter, casting director, 1st AD, script supervisor, production designer), Enni Red moved to the UK where she finished MA in Screenwriting at Screen Academy Scotland and PhD in Film Studies at Lancaster University. With 7 award-winning short films in her recent years portfolio, Enni is now teaching film students at Lancaster University, developing undergraduate Screenwriting course and working on several independent films (both shorts and features) as writer/producer.
To learn more visit her website - https://enni.redfilms.co.uk
TBIFF GOES ON TOUR AROUND THE BAY!
01 June 2024
Our festival will be travelling around the Bay, and the first stop is Ulverston! This wouldn't be possible without Ulverston Town Council funding, The Roxy Cinema Ulverston partnership, incredible support from The Roxy Collective and, of course, those amazing filmmakers who agreed to share their films with our new audiences!
Short film programme "Stories beyond Borders", curated by TBIFF, offers a compelling and diverse selection of award-winning shorts that traverse a range of human experiences and emotions. From the poignant and introspective magic-realism of "Demon Box" and the hauntingly surreal "Forbidden", to the stark and intense drama of "Our Males and Females", each film is a powerful exploration of personal and societal struggles. This collection of short films spanning various genres and countries, promises an evocative and thought-provoking cinematic journey that captures the essence of resilience, transformation, and the complexities of the human spirit. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with several filmmakers (including Ulverston's own Alice Slater with her award-winning animation), providing a unique opportunity for audiences to engage directly with the creative minds behind these exceptional stories.
We are screening 8 films - nominees, award winners, and finalists of TBIFF23. To get a feel for it, just watch the trailer. Our programmed short films received collectively more than 250 awards around the world!
SHOTDECK YEAR SUBSCRIPTION FOR BEST EDITING AWARD WINNER!
13 February 2024
In October 2023 editor Natalia Gozdzik won BEST EDITING award at TBIFF for her work on the film BENEATH A MOTHER'S FEET which was screened as a part of our "UNEXPECTED JOURNEYS" programme. As an addition to the trophy, our festival partners - website SHOTDECK - awarded Natalia with a year subscription!
That is what she said:
"Shotdeck is a great tool for filmmakers to get inspiration and work with references. It has excellent assets and a great variety which makes searching for resource material extremely easy. As an editor, I found it really useful on several projects, mostly in the pre-production stage when having conversations with the director about the editing of particular scenes. We were looking for some specific looks and editing styles and were able to find several images in the Shotdeck library. We then created a deck that served as our point of reference and a basis for further creative discussions. The interface is very friendly which makes it super easy to browse through the media."
Natalia is a film editor based in London with ten years of experience working in the film industry. Her work ranges across fiction, documentaries, and animation. While working in Germany, France, and Italy, Natalia developed her passion for the editing process. She moved to the UK to study at the prestigious National Film and Television School and graduated in 2022 receiving a Master’s Degree in Editing. Natalia is particularly interested in collaborating on projects dedicated to fresh, innovative stories about aspects of life that haven’t been told on screen before. Check her website to learn more about her work - www.nataliagozdzik.com
ShotDeck is the world’s largest library of fully searchable high-definition cinematic images. An invaluable tool for reference, planning, and collaboration, ShotDeck can be used in every step of the filmmaking process.
To learn more visit the website - https://shotdeck.com
"FINAL DRAFT" AWARD WINNERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
23 January 2024
In October 2023 writer/director Sean Wainsteim and writer Aurora de Peña won BEST STORYTELLING award at TBIFF for the screenplay for the film DEMON BOX which was screened as a part of our "UNEXPECTED JOURNEYS" programme. As an addition to the trophy, our festival partners - FINAL DRAFT - awarded Aurora with a copy of Final Draft's world-famous software, giving her access to the same tools that have helped craft some of the most iconic stories in the entertainment industry.
Final Draft is the industry-standard software for screenwriting and storytelling, used by top professionals in the film and television industry worldwide. It's the go-to tool for writers who want to bring their creative ideas to life on the big screen.
That's what Aurora and Sean said about their win:
We’re so grateful to receive the inaugural Final Draft "Best Storytelling Award" from The Bay International Film Festival for our film "Demon Box". We strived to express a very personal and internal journey through memory, trauma and pain in a non-linear and impressionistic way while also being dramatic (and, hopefully funny). We took a big, experimental swing and it feels so incredibly wonderful to be acknowledged and recognized for this award. Thank you for supporting and celebrating storytelling that doesn’t fit into existing moulds.
"Demon Box" evolved over ten years. Over that entire time, Final Draft was essential in guiding our sprawling, unclassifiable film that encompasses four generations. Made of disparate narrative elements, time-jumps, archival materials, documentary voice-over and animation, a key concern was maintaining a clear, narrative through-line. Interfacing with writing software that is as malleable as our material gave us confidence to rearrange, re-examine and innovate while ensuring we still told an honest story in a uniquely compelling and comprehendible way.
The director of the film added:
"Ever since I began writing screenplays, Final Draft has always been an integral part of my process. Slipping into Final Draft always feels intuitive. I live inside that creative flow to the point of never feeling the program. There’s really no higher compliment I can give to any software. I grow and experiment as a storyteller and the program grows and adapts around me. From initial ideas and more traditionally structured narratives to exploring atypical approaches that adapt through the post production process, Final Draft is an essential tool that always seems to grow and adapt with me on my journey."
We couldn't be more excited to partner with Final Draft for last year's awards. Their commitment to empowering storytellers aligns perfectly with our mission, and we believe this partnership will take our awards to new heights. We can't wait to see the incredible stories that will emerge from this collaboration. Thank you, Final Draft Company, for joining us on this creative journey!
THE PARTNERSHIP IS CONFIRMED FOR 2024 EDITION!
Final Draft is a program made to perform one task with excellence – the writing of a screenplay – by people who support Final Draft users with passion and understanding.
In 2023 Final Draft sponsored the award for the Best Storytelling at TBIFF.
To learn more visit the website - www.finaldraft.com
OUR SHORT DOCUMENTARY IS IN POST-PRODUCTION!
15 January 2024
The first edition of the festival marked the introduction of the original award trophies created specifically for the occasion. The unique design was conceived by our own director, Darren, with implementation carried out by the talented Kiki and Martin from the eco-organization Relic. The distinctive wave for each trophy was crafted from recycled plastic, collected by the residents of Lancashire and Cumbria exclusively for this project.
Our connection with Relic was established through the grant "Pots of Possibilities" from Lancaster District CVS. This project not only produced remarkable recycled trophies but also resulted in a short documentary, currently in post-production with the working title "The Adventures of the Bottle Top." We plan to release the documentary this year and submit it to various film festivals to share our festival's experience in creating sustainable award trophies. Please share your thoughts on our trophies and the concept in the comments!
Relic Plastic is a company dedicated to making a positive impact by providing exceptional production services using only 100% recycled plastic. Learn more at their website - https://www.relicplastic.com
Lancaster District CVS is a charitable organisation with a rich history of supporting the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector, ensuring these organisations are visible, valued, and heard. For more information, visit their website - https://lancastercvs.org.uk
Stories Beyond Borders is an international short film competition and part of TBIFF. Winners of the second year will sldo receive our unique trophies. Submissions are now open here - https://filmfreeway.com/TheBayFilmFestival
AWARD WINNER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
14 December 2023
In October 2023 composer Ali Helnwein won BEST SOUNDSCAPE award at TBIFF for the soundtrack for the film HEDGEHOG which was screened as a part of our "Inspiring shorts" programme. As an addition to the trophy, our festival partners - SPITFIRE AUDIO - awarded Ali with a £250 gift card to use on their amazing website - www.spitfireaudio.com
Here's what he said:
“I was very excited to receive the Spitfire Audio Award as part of winning best score at The Bay International Film Fest. Spitfire Audio has always been my favourite sample library company. When I first started composing I only had somewhat generic sounding sample libraries until I discovered Spitfire. My first purchase was Albion and my collection has grown ever since. Their creativity, approach to how they sample and the quality of the samples was a game changer!”
Ali Helnwein is a Los Angeles based composer who has worked on multiple Emmy and Grammy winning projects. Films he's scored have gone to festivals ranging from Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca and more, including projects for Netflix, HBO and other platforms. Check his website here - www.alihelnwein.com
We are looking forward to hear more about Ali's future projects and we are curious who will win our music award next year.
THE PARTNERSHIP IS CONFIRMED FOR 2024 EDITION!
FIRST FESTIVAL INTERVIEW
10 March 2023
The first interview with the festival producer and short film submission coordinator Anna Kumacheva opened the doors to a brand new event coming to Morecambe. The interview was taken by Nigel Thompson for Morecambe Bay Podcast - https://themorecambebaypodcast.wordpress.com
you can listen the podcast episode below:
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