Jeanie Finlay

My guest this week is artist and documentary filmmaker Jeanie Finlay. With an eclectic body of work under her belt, Jeanie’s portfolio includes the Emmy nominated feature Games of Thrones: The Last Watch, Bifa winning feature - Orion: The Man Who Would Be King, Bifa nominated feature Seahorse, and Bifa and Grierson nominated feature The Great Hip Hop Hoax.

In addition, Jeanie has also filmed behind the closed bedroom doors of teenagers in Teenland for the BBC, as well as directing feature docs on the last surviving record shop in Teeside and the lowest budget pantomime in Nottingham for BBC Storyville. And last but not least, she also filmed Goths on a cruise ship!

Driven by a passion to tell small stories quietly, Jeanie is interested in shy people and uses her camera as a loudhailer.

Jeanie and I discuss the inspiration behind each of her films, what makes a good story, trusting your instinct, and seeking out life’s unsung heroes.

We also explore the lessons she learnt over the years when it comes to capturing actuality, and her love of creating bespoke cinema experiences for her audience.