THE STORY
Inspired by true events, THE WICK is a dark, period thriller, set in the early 1800's in rural England, seventy-three years after witch hunts were banned. When Esther, a local herbal healer, witnesses her sister's murder at the hands of a lawless but influential religious leader, she realizes only she can put an end to the deceit, blind ignorance and barbarity of these outdated beliefs for good.
A disturbing tale of deceit and persecution of a woman who fights for justice against a lawless witch hunter. THE WICK is a universal and topical short film about strong women, women's rights and resonates with the #MeToo and #TimesUp issues.
THE REASON
To this day, countless numbers of people, mainly women and children are still being accused of witchcraft and persecuted around the world. They have no rights, no voice and are condemned by misguided beliefs. This is why our story needed to be told.
FESTIVAL CIRCUIT
THE WICK had its theatrical World Premiere at Montana International film festival on October 1st, 2020. Although the Covid-19 pandemic severely impacted festivals worldwide, this didn't stop THE WICK. We've recieved thirty-seven Official Selections to date (three BIFA qualifying festivals), have won eleven awards, a special mention & a whopping twenty-three nominations at National and International film festivals!!!
CAST
ESTHER - Michelle Coverley
ZACHARIAH - Ian Reddington
AGNES - Rowena Meddeman
JOHN - Beau Fowler
FLORA - Julia Leyland
PEGGY - Kerry Hurst
CREW
PRODUCERS - Michelle Coverley & Ludovica Musumeci
DIRECTOR - Sabine Crossen
SCREENPLAY - Michelle Coverley
DOP - Tania Freimuth
COMPOSER - Hollie Buhagiar
EDITOR - Kant Pan
SOUND DESIGN - Michalianna Theofanopoulou
PRODUCTION DESIGN - Karijn Nijmeijer
COSTUME DESIGN - Emma Clark
HAIR & MAKEUP DESIGN - Josie Connell
COLOURIST - Pooya Kooshanezhad
AWARDS
Best Foreign Short - Horrorant Film Festival 2022
Best Foreign Short - Atlanta Underground Film Festival
Best Int. Horror Short - Shawna Shea Film Festival 2021
Best Actor - Detroit SheTown Film Festival 2021
Breakout Performance - Festival Angaelica 2021
Best Genre Film - Catfish Shorts Film Festival 2022
Best Music - Top Indie Film Awards 2020
Best Editing - Top Indie Film Awards 2020
Best Costume - Unrestricted View Film Festival 2021
Best Hair & Make-up - Birmingham Film Festival 2020
Best Costume - Swindon Independent Int. Film Festival
Special Mention - Semana de Cine de Lugo 2021
NOMINATIONS
Best First-Time Filmmaker - Birmingham Film Festival
Best Costume - Birmingham Film Festival 2020
Best Costume - TweetFest Film Festival 2020
Best Short - Top Indie Film Awards 2020
Best Director - Top Indie Film Awards 2020
Best Actress - Top Indie Film Awards 2020
Best Cinematography - Top Indie Film Awards 2020
Best Sound - Top Indie Film Awards 2020
Most Terrifying - Top Indie Film Awards 2020
Best Ensemble Cast - FilmQuest 2021
Best Costumes - FilmQuest 2021
Best Production Design - The People's Film Festival 2021
Si Spenser Award - Unrestricted View Film Festival 2021
Best Actress - Unrestricted View Film Festival 2021
Best Director - Unrestricted View Film Festival 2021
Best Make-up - Unrestricted View Film Festival 2021
Best Production Design - Swindon Independent Int. 2021
Best Picture - Oregon Short Film Festival 2021
Best Suspense Thriller - Oregon Short Film Festival 2021
Best Short Film - HorrorHaus Film Fest 2021
Best Original Score - HorrorHaus Film Fest 2021
Best Costume Design - HorrorHaus Film Fest 2021
Best International Short - M.E. Film Festival 2021
FESTIVALS
Mint Film Festival 2020 (Montana, USA)
CINECITY Brighton Film Festival 2020 (UK)
Weyauwega Int. Film Festival 2020 (Wisconsin, USA)
Birmingham Film Festival 2020 (UK)
TweetFest Film Festival 2020 (UK)
Montreal Feminist Film Festival 2020 (CANADA)
Jaipur International Film Festival 2021 (INDIA)
Horrible Imaginings Campfire Tales 2021 (California, USA)
The People's Film Festival 2021 (UK)
Julien Dubuque Int. Film Festival 2021 (Iowa, USA)
Harrogate Film Festival 2021 (UK)
Unrestricted View Film Festival 2021 (UK)
FilmQuest 2021 (Utah, USA)
Fastnet Film Festival 2021 (IRELAND)
Ramsgate International Film Festival 2021 (UK)
Barnes Film Festival 2021 (UK)
Romford Film Festival 2021 (UK)
Queens World Film Festival 2021 (New York, USA)
Hamilton New York Int. Film Festival 2021 (New York,USA)
Swindon Idependent International Film Festival 2021 (UK)
Oregon Short Film Festival 2021 (Oregon, USA)
Atlanta Underground Film Festival 2021 (Georgia, USA)
Semana de Cine de Lugo (Lugo Film Week) 2021 (SPAIN)
Shawna Shea Film Festival 2021 (Massachusetts, USA)
Detroit SheTown Film Festival 2021 (Michigan, USA)
Tri-Cities Int. Film Festival 2021 (Washington, USA)
HorrorHaus Film Fest 2021 (California, USA)
Final Girls Berlin Film Festival 2021 (GERMANY)
Peephole Film Fest 2021 (MEXICO)
Cine por los Derechos Humanos 2021 (COLUMBIA)
Festival Int. de Cinéma et Mémoire Commune (MAROCCO)
M.E. Film Festival 2021 (Georgia, USA)
Festival Angaelica 2021 (California, USA)
Catfish Shorts Film Festival 2022 (UK)
Twister Alley Film Festival 2022 (Oklahoma, USA)
Horrorant Film Festival 2022 (GREECE)
South Texas Underground Film Festival 2022 (Texas, USA)
NEWS & REVIEWS
'It has a reassuringly bucolic feel that balances perfectly with the dark story that gradually unfolds....in short, The Wick is a triumph....you're in for a real treat" (CLICK ICON TO READ)
"This is a short film that really offers the full package - a wonderful luscious period production design, a powerful score, and a theme that is both timeless and relevant." - Dustin Curtis Murphy, Festival Director.
"Brilliant short! The music was great and the lead actresses performance was excellent." - Prano Bailey-Bond, Director.
"The Wick manages to pack a witchy-punch in just fifteen minutes with a story we think we know but is delivered bravely by not compromising, with scenes that are arresting as much as they are brutal." - Amanda White, Festival Trustee.
"Michelle has some absolute pearls of wisdom for anyone wanting to create and star in their own work!" - Angela Peters, Festival Director. (CLICK ICON TO WATCH)
Watch behind the scenes footage of horror film shot near Chichester starring former Doctor Who actor - (CLICK ICON TO READ)
The triple threat Actor-Producer-Writer talks to the squad about her latest film The Wick, #MeToo and achieving her goals against all the obstacles, while staying true to her vision. - (CLICK ICON TO LISTEN to the Podcast)
Horror film shot just outside Chichester - (CLICK ICON TO READ)
Actor, writer and producer, Michelle has just released the short film The Wick. We talk to her about that, witchcraft persecutions ancient and modern, the role of horror in entertainment, conspiracy theories and more!. - (CLICK ICON TO LISTEN)
"An interesting story with compelling acting and storytelling." - (CLICK ICON TO READ)
"This film is extraordinarily well executed and keeps you guessing till the very end. Audiences are sure to love this one." - Mikel Fair, Festival Director.