Opening Daniel's Room

"Daniel’s Room explores the quiet horror of buried trauma, how unspoken memories can shape who we become and how a single place can hold both comfort and terror. I was drawn to [scriptwriter] Mark Carey's personally infused story because it captures something deeply human: the way grief and guilt linger in silence. This film allowed me to investigate psychological tension through restrained storytelling, shadowed spaces, and complex performances.

"With Daniel’s Room, I wanted to create an atmosphere that feels heavy with memory. With the generous use of Ilmington Manor [in Ilmington, Warwickshire] as a location at our disposal, we had a house that seems to hold its breath, just like the characters inside it. My aim was to build a slow-burning sense of unease through framing, silence, and texture, rather than relying on conventional horror tropes. The film lives in the liminal: between day and night, past and present, reality and memory. Every decision from colour palette to camera movement was designed to reflect [central character] Emily’s emotional journey back into a place she never truly left.

"As a filmmaker rooted in the West Midlands I’m passionate about telling stories that are both personal and resonant. Daniel’s Room is the first in a slate of narrative work that I hope will spotlight this region's incredible filmmaking talent with bold storytelling.

"This film was made on a very modest budget (in part for which we owe a great deal of thanks and gratitude to our generous Kickstarter backers) with an incredible local team of actors, creatives and crew. For me as a first time director, it proves what’s possible with focus, passion, and the right team around you."

- Jack Richardson, Director, Daniel's Room