Mary Downes, born in 1958, is a critically acclaimed director, producer, and writer. She is best known for her award-winning films, which explore complex and challenging topics.
Downes grew up in London and attended the Central School of Speech and Drama. After graduating, she worked as an actress in various theatre, television and film productions, but soon became frustrated with the limited roles available to her. She decided to move behind the camera and enrolled in a filmmaking course at the London Film School.
Downes’s first short film, ‘The Uninvited’, won the Bafta for best short film in 1992. This was followed by her feature film debut, ‘The Room’, which premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 1997. The film received high praise and won the prestigious Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Downes’s next film, ‘The Bond’ (2001), won five awards at the British Independent Film Awards and was nominated for a BAFTA. Downes then went on to create the critically acclaimed ‘The Messenger’ (2003), for which she won a BIFA for Best Director.
Downes’s most recent film is ‘The Keeper’ (2006), which tells the story of a young girl who is forced to confront her past. The film was nominated for a BAFTA and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival.
In addition to her film work, Downes has directed for television, including episodes of ‘Doctors’ and ‘Holby City’. She is also a regular guest at film festivals and events, including the London Film Festival, the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival.
Downes’s work has been recognised with several awards, including the Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature, the Bafta for Best Short Film, and the BIFA for Best Director. She is an inspirational figure in the film industry, and her work continues to inspire other filmmakers.
