Image by Simon Baj Woodward.
A.D. Cooper's 20th short as director.
A.D. Cooper is delighted to be back on board judging this short film script competition for a second time.
As well as judging, she supplied 1-2-1 Script Development Session with one of the winners and was commissioned to director again. "Playing Away", found elsewhere on this website, was the film she directed and co-produced from the winning script by Steve Langridge in 2022.
The last competition delivered wonderful results: it provided all scriptwriters with feedback, helped another director gain funding, and saw a scriptwriter commissioned to write a feature film.
This year's winning scripts were announced on 4th April, all following the Christmas theme. Filming of two winning scripts took place on 25/28 April 2025 in Wimborne in Dorset using local crew.
A.D. Cooper helmed "Merry Christmas Bill" the winning drama script by Lindsey Sharp, but she was also co-producer and script editor too. A further three scripts are being filmed by other directors and production companies with a showcase planned in Dorset for November.
Elizabeth Counsell plays Ellen. Image by Simon Baj Woodward.
Russell Biles played Tommy
Sean Pogmore played the rather dim Jake. Jewellery loaned from David's Jewellers in Richmond, Surrey.
Kevin Harper the soundie at work.
FIlming in a 200 year old house in Wimborne.
Image by Simon Baj Woodward.
Cast and crew in the location garden. Image by Simon Baj Woodward.