Guernsey Arts support Joshua Fletcher's short film 'Albert', based on a Guernsey folk tale.

I'm incredibly proud to announce some news today about a personal project I've been working on for 4 years. Thanks for taking the time to read about it and can't wait to share what we're working on. We're shooting later this year!

I can't thank Guernsey Arts enough for their support on this project and for their amazing work generally for the arts in Guernsey.

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Official Press Release

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Guernsey born writer and director Joshua Fletcher has been awarded a Guernsey Arts grant to help fund his next short film 'Albert'.

Set on the island and inspired by a local 17th century folk tale, it centres on a wizard named Sarre in the possession of an indestructible magical book. In a time where superstition and witch trials were rife on the island, the film tackles themes of fear, misinformation and paranoia in a drastically changing world.

The magical book in question, Le Petit Albert, harboured much fear from Islanders, and great suspicion shrouded those who held the books in their possession. A copy of the grimoire can be found in the Priaulx Library, (https://www.priaulxlibrary.co.uk/articles/article/la-magie-naturelle-grimoires) where it is said even the librarians are afraid to handle them, and one is even featured in Candie Museum's local folklore exhibition (https://museums.gov.gg/article/165332/Folklore-Gallery).

The project is keen to celebrate established and emerging talent from Guernsey and the UK. The main character, Sarre, will be played by Guernsey actor Cameron Ashplant, best known for local feature films ‘Marooned Awakening’, ‘The Last Flamingo of the Red Summer Sunset’ which premiered in Leicester Square in January 2024 and the upcoming short 'Whispers of Freedom'.

Joining Cameron, from the UK side is Andrew Butler, Director of Photography. Andrew holds Camera Operator credits on TV projects of the likes of ITV's ‘Trigger Point’ and ‘Grace’ and feature films including Ben Wheatley's folk horror 'In The Earth' starring Reece Shearsmith.?

Alongside Andrew is costume designer Elizabeth Butterick who has been working as Assistant Costume Designer on Apple TV’s 'Trying' and Costume Standby on BBC's ‘Ghosts’. These appointments represent the project’s high ambitions and will be a great opportunity for these up and coming professionals to step up from their junior roles to heads of department on this film.

On the Guernsey side, is Alex Bates, whose high level of production value in shorts such as ‘Occupied’ and ‘Born of Water’, has awarded him the role of Production Designer, to lead on achieving the look of the specific period setting and set design.

Pitched to Guernsey Arts as 'the most ambitious short film Guernsey has seen', this film version of the folk tale will showcase the Island’s impressive landscapes and epic sunrises on the silver screen. However, the complexities of filming on an island are at the forefront of the filming crew’s mind.?

Director Joshua says, “As well as the industry standard equipment and crew we are bringing over, it will require the collaboration of several local organisations, talent, hobbyists and investors who are interested in continuing to raise the bar for filmmaking on the island.”

After 4 years of development, having Guernsey Arts on board is an incredible step forward for the project. The award continues their incredible support for local filmmaking over recent years and Guernsey Arts say, “We are delighted to support this film project, bringing Guernsey folklore to the screen, through the talents of Josh and his crew of international and homegrown talent.”

Pre-production has officially begun on the film, however to take things to the next level, the director is looking for further financial partners and volunteers to help make this project possible. More information on this can be found on his website, https://jgrfletcher.co.uk, or the film’s Instagram page @LeFilmAlbert.

The announcement of 'Albert' comes after Joshua's two previous shorts 'Plant Life' and 'Encounter' screened at The Guernsey Film Fest 2022 and 2023. 'Plant Life' won the festival's Audience Award in 2022 and 'Encounter' was the Best Film winner for Brighton during the city's 48 Hour Film Project competition in 2023. The film went on to screen in Lisbon in March 2024 at Filmapalooza festival alongside 100+ films from around the world.