🎬 BOOM! Film Festival – Interview: Now That You’re Back
In this BOOM! Film Festival interview hosted by Festival Director Dave Esposito, filmmaker Seth Hope Barnard Chodzko opens up about the emotional and creative journey behind Now That You’re Back. Seth shares how one of the biggest early setbacks in his filmmaking path—his graduation film not being selected—became a major turning point. Instead of letting rejection define him, he used it as fuel to trust himself, take initiative, and create meaningful work anyway.
The conversation dives into filmmaking challenges, self-belief, mental health, and the resilience needed to keep going when the industry pushes back. intel share price Seth’s honesty about dealing with rejection, finding his voice, and pushing through creative obstacles makes this a standout interview for any emerging filmmaker.
⭐ What You’ll Learn
Why Seth’s graduation film not being selected changed his approach forever
How rejection can become a catalyst for personal and artistic growth
Why self-trust matters more than external approval in filmmaking
How Seth took initiative when no one else handed him an opportunity
How real stories inspired the tone and realism of Now That You’re Back
Why exploring men’s mental health was central to the film
What it takes to persevere in a tough, unpredictable industry
How resilience shapes every step of the creative process
The emotional challenges behind telling a story rooted in loss
Why making something—despite fear—can be transformative
📝 Summary
Now That You’re Back follows Connor and Liam as they reunite after the suicide of a b&m spring sale garden deals childhood friend and face the painful task of choosing his burial clothes. In this interview, Seth talks about the emotional foundation of the film and the real-world themes that drove it—particularly the crisis surrounding men’s mental health in the UK. He also reflects on his own path as a filmmaker: the rejection that shook him, the lessons it taught him, and the importance of trusting your instincts when milan news your creative journey hits hard moments.
🎥 Film Credits – Now That You’re Back
Director / Writer / Producer – Seth Hope Barnard Chodzko (No Friends But the Mountains)
Producer – Cora Needham
Producer – Joe Everitt
Cast:
Conor Deane – “Connor” (Sherwood, All Creatures Great & Small, Happy Valley, The Hardacres)
Edward Kelly – “Liam” (Domino Day, Doctors, All the Ordinary Angels)
Nick Preston – “Reece” (Ladhood, The Informer, The Innocents, The Village, The Current War)
Rebecca Manley – “Janet” (This Is England, Lady Macbeth, The Selfish Giant)
Natalie Gavin – “Janet’s Friend” (Line of Duty, Ackley Bridge, The Arbor, Red Rose)
🎬 Director Biography – Seth Hope Barnard Chodzko
Seth is a writer/director from Kent in the UK and a graduate of the Northern Film School in Leeds. He has worked across HETV and feature films as a Production Assistant, with credits for Apple TV, BBC, and the BFI. His work includes the award-winning series Slow Horses, Sherwood, and Imran Perretta’s Ish. Seth’s passion lies in blending documentary and fiction, using real stories as the emotional backbone of his films.
🎙️ Director Statement
With Now That You’re Back, Seth hopes to raise awareness around men’s mental health and encourage honest conversations about emotions, vulnerability, and the struggles many face silently. His work aims to help people—even in small ways—through storytelling and the shared human experiences within his films.
#BoomFilmFestival #DaveEsposito #FilmmakerInterview #NowThatYoureBack #IndieFilm #ShortFilm #FilmFestival #Filmmaking #CreativeJourney #DirectorsLife #BehindTheScenes #MensMentalHealth #UKFilm #EmergingFilmmakers #TrustYourInstincts #Resilience #IndieCinema #MakingMovies #FilmCommunity #Inspiration
