A short documentary capturing the spirit, grit, and community heartbeat of Lichfield Fuse Festival.

Overview

The Small City with the Loud Heart is a short documentary exploring the energy and emotion of Lichfield Fuse Festival — told not only through the performances on stage, but through the people who make the festival what it is.

Approach

Rather than focusing solely on the headline acts, the film looks closer: at the rehearsals, the nerves, the friendships, the humour, and the quiet moments that happen just out of sight. Over the festival weekend, I followed young performers, volunteers, families, and returning artists to capture the interactions and details that often go unnoticed — the small human moments that give the event its character.

The film blends handheld documentary realism with a warm, tactile visual style, creating a portrait of a community coming together in its most expressive form. My intention was to make something honest and grounded, where the heart of the story comes not from spectacle, but from people.

Impact

The film premiered at Lichfield Guildhall and was awarded the 2025 Lichfield Arts Wildfire Award for Outstanding Talent and Ability in Filmmaking, recognising both its craft and its emotional resonance.