Following in the footsteps of renowned film writer and director Mike Leigh

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A Swansea graduate hopes to follow in the footsteps of British film writer and director Mike Leigh when his film premiere’s in Swansea this week.

Jimmy Hay

Swansea University graduate, lecturer, writer and director Jimmy Hay, aged 30 from Kingsteignton, South Devon, will be proudly attending the premiere of his film High Tide at the Taliesin Arts Centre at the end of February. The film will be released on March 6th, and will be opening at the Vue in Swansea, and The Reel in Port Talbot, before having a run at Chapter Arts Centre and a number of other venues to be confirmed.

Starring Melanie Walters (Gavin and Stacey) in a career-best performance as well as introducing newcomer Samuel Davies, High Tide is a moving, powerful and tender portrait of a vital twenty-four hours in two people's lives.

Jimmy said:  " I studied film at Swansea University and it's where I really developed my passion for film as an art form. I was then lucky enough to become a lecturer myself at the University, so Swansea has been there all throughout my film education. 

“ I couldn't understand why no one was making films in Swansea and on Gower - they're such stunning locations, and look incredibly cinematic. It's brilliant and completely fitting that the premiere is taking place in Swansea, at the Taliesin, where I watched so many films as a student." 

High Tide

Set in the spectacular Welsh countryside along the Gower Coastline, High Tide tells the story of Bethan who has just one day to reclaim, repair and re-embrace her relationship with teenage son Josh.

Taking him out of school and into the open air, the pair can talk openly to each other, free from distraction, for perhaps the first time ever. At first, Josh is reluctant but troubling revelations force him to wake up to his mother's plight and the painful realities of how both their lives will now change forever.

Jimmy studied Screen Studies between 2004-2007. He started his PhD in Contemporary Independent Cinema, on an AHRC scholarship in 2009, which he is continuing. Students taught by Jimmy at Swansea University are also following in his footsteps. Yaz Weston - a 3rd year Media Studies student taught by Jimmy in her first year is now an  integral member of the crew on High Tide. Jimmy added:  “ Off the back of working on High Tide Yaz has also gained further work on other film productions, so she's a pretty great student success story”. 

High Tide, is produced Long Arm Films. Jimmy Hay and his colleague James Gillingham formed Long Arm Films in 2009 and have written and directed several short films. High Tide is their debut feature film.