When a young fossil hunter finds something truly remarkable in the Jurassic cliffs of Dorset, she finds herself locked in an ideological battle with a devious auctioneer and the soon-to-crumble worldviews of 19th century England.
“Clever, entertaining and moving” –Tracy Chevalier
“Luxuriously depicts the defiance and dedication of Anning in her youth” –Norwich Film Festival
The film is available in English (with SDH subtitles and audio description) and in Spanish.
TRAILER
CAST
Nathaniel Parker as Mr. Fairfax
Nathaniel Parker’s prolific stage career includes performances in WOLF HALL and BRING UP THE BODIES, winning an Olivier for his portrayal of Henry VIII, and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE on Broadway. He is perhaps best known as Detective Lynley in the BBC series THE INSPECTOR LYNLEY MYSTERIES as well as for roles in other popular television series such as BLEAK HOUSE and MERLIN. Film roles include SWIMMING WITH MEN, THE HAUNTED MANSION and OTHELLO.
Kiara Holley-Paliano as Mary Anning
From a very early age, Kiara’s exuberance and outgoing character showed a natural talent to performing in front of an audience. At the age of five she joined her local amateur dramatics society and a dance group alongside other ventures, performing with confidence in many diverse projects ever since. SEA DRAGON is Kiara’s first on-screen role.
Harvey Dean as Joseph Anning
Harvey Dean has been acting since he was four and now attends Italia Conti Academy, in which along with academic subjects, he has experience in dance, singing and acting. Harvey has credits to his name, including Michael Banks in MARY POPPINS UK TOUR, Young Lucius in Royal Shakespeare production of TITUS ANDRONICUS and Adverts including CBBC FIND YOUR TRIBE.
CREW
JAMES MORGAN | DIRECTOR
James’ previous drama was BFI-backed SEVEN - an eco thriller set in the Norwegian Arctic played out in real time, telling the story of a young woman from a remote community who is forced to preside over an indigenous murder trial. It was long-listed for a BAFTA. Previously James made JAGO: A LIFE UNDERWATER, a feature documentary about an 80 year old sea nomad. The film won numerous awards on the festival circuit and is now streaming on Netflix. James is currently developing a feature film - RARE EARTH - about an expedition in search of the last polar bear.
ALEXANDRA TOOMEY | PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Alex entered the film industry by way of a BA in Spatial Design at Central St Martins and an MA in Production Design at the NFTS. She went on to design WREN BOYS, a 2017 short directed by Harry Lighton, which was nominated for the Best Short Film BAFTA. Alex then contributed to the art direction of projects as large-scale as GAME OF THRONES, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR and Art Director on KILLING EVE (Season 1) and POSSUM, the 2018 feature-length horror film by Matthew Holness.
LAWRIE DORAN | SCREENWRITER
Lawrie is a screenwriter working across film and TV. His no-budget first feature SPEAKING IN TONGUES premiered in competition at the 2018 Austin Film Festival and his feature script YESTERDAY TOMORROW TODAY placed third on the 2018 Brit List of best unproduced British screenplays. His short films have played at international festivals including the BFI London Film Festival, Palm Springs and Rhode Island. Lawrie is an alumnus of Torino AdaptLab and the Hospital Club’s ‘Emerging Creatives’ programme, and a winner of the John Brabourne Award.
EMILY-ROSE YIAXIS | COSTUME DESIGNER
Emily-Rose Yiaxis has worked across the industry from degree level to training in big budget films as assistant costume designer and working in commercials and Indies as a HoD. Some of her more recent credits include TITAN, VENGEANCE 2, and BIFA nominated short film BITTER SEA. Her assisting credits include SKYFALL, GRAVITY and THE DARK KNIGHT. Her work will next be seen in the short film WAITING FOR GOD.
TERHI KYLLIÄINEN | PRODUCER
After working in production in feature films, Terhi co-produced short film STRANGE WEATHER (dir. Tom Shrapnel), funded by Creative England and starring Maxine Peake, and JAMES (dir. Claire Oakley) re-telling the story of the first vaccination in 1796 by Dr Edward Jenner, funded by The Wellcome Trust. Terhi has associate produced two feature films, a UK-China co-production LEGENDARY (dir. Eric Styles) and ROAD GAMES (dir. Abner Pastoll), a UK-France co-produced thriller.
GAIA BORRETTI | EDITOR
Gaia was first introduced to the industry when she worked with the accomplished film editor Jacopo Quadri. Before moving to the UK Gaia edited a wide variety of projects, including documentaries, short films and promos. In 2009, she edited her first feature film BREAK MY FALL, and Gaia has edited commercials for global brands and artists, such as Nike, Adidas and Tiny Tempah. She also edited the highly celebrated online documentary WILDLANDS that won a Bronze Cannes Lion 2018.
CLEMENS MAJUNKE | DOP
Berlin-born Clemens has worked on TV dramas and series for Warner Bros, Bavaria Film and ITV. He’d describe his style as ‘natural’, and he loves to craft a contemporary, effortless, but still imaginative look to his work. Clemens has also made a name for himself in character-driven commercial content, with shoots for Nike, Porsche, Seat, Renault and Mercedes Benz.
JACK WYLLIE | COMPOSER
Jack’s musical expertise spans classical, jazz and ambient. He is a well established and highly respected musician, having toured globally with his bands Portico Quartet and Szun Waves and collaborated with various critically acclaimed artists such as Joe Newman of Alt J, Jamie Woon and Luke Abbott. He has produced five studio albums with his band Portico Quartet, receiving a Mercury music nomination along the way. He also composed the music for short film SEVEN, for James Morgan.
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SCREENINGS & AWARDS
Cleveland International Film Festival | Palm Springs Shortfest | LA Shorts | Cordillera Int’l Film Festival | Tirana Int’l Film Festival | 15 Short Film Festival | Bolton Film Festival | LUCAS Film Festival - WINNER Stadtteiljury Award | Warsaw Film Festival | San Jose Int’l Short FF | Imagine Science Film Festival | Cinekid - Nominated for Best International Live Action Short | Norwich Film Festival | This is England Festival | Chicago Int’l Children’s FF - WINNER Children’s Jury, Live Action Short Film | Sulmona Int’l FF | FIFNE de Grenoble | Coronado Island FF | Pittsburgh Shorts | LXL Ideas, Saudi Film Studio 101 Festival | KidFilm Family FF | New York Children’s Film Festival | Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival | Taiwan Int’l Children’s FF - Most watched dramatic short (festival held online) | Fargo Film Festival | Reel Shorts Festival, Canada | Cinema St. Louis | HollyShorts Monthly Screenings | Cinemagic On The Pulse Short FF, Belfast | Ennessimo Film Festival | Cactus Int’l Children’s and Youth FF - WINNER 11+ Best Short Film School Jury Award | Cheltenham Science Festival | KiKA Kurzweilig short film festival, Germany | Braga Science Film Fest - WINNER Best Short Film and Best Fiction Short Film
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PRESS
Fossils on film: stepping back in time with the versatile Sumire Primes - Canon Europe
New short-film based on young Mary Anning to premiere at virtual festival - Lyme Online
Director Q&A - Cleveland Film Festival
LUCAS Stadtteiljury reviews on Sea Dragon (in German)
Mary Anning and the "Sea Dragon" - Everything Dinosaur
Review - Sofy.tv
CONTACT
Producer Terhi Kylliäinen terhi12@gmail.com | Sales representative Gabi Suciu, Atelier de Film gabisuciu.exec@gmail.com