The Small City with the Loud Heart is an award-winning short film that premiered at the historic Lichfield Guildhall, where it received the 2025 Wildfire Award for Outstanding Talent and Ability in Filmmaking from Lichfield Arts.

It was recognised for its distinctive visual language and its ability to capture the emotional heart of Lichfield’s Fuse Festival through the eyes of its emerging young performers.

The project began with a personal perspective. Having watched my younger brother Oliver perform at Fuse for several years, I wanted to create a film that allowed audiences to feel the highs, lows and adrenaline of performing live. This became the creative foundation for the film.

To bring that feeling to life, I developed a bold visual approach. Influenced by abstract winter sports cinematography, I shot handheld at low shutter speeds and processed the footage into grainy, high-contrast monochrome. Subtle, intentional movement and rhythm-led editing were used to mirror the focused, adrenaline-fuelled flow state of live performance, creating the film’s defining aesthetic.

Equally important was the human atmosphere surrounding the festival. I kept the camera rolling throughout the weekend to capture candid interactions between performers, staff and volunteers. As Oliver and his bandmates became more comfortable with the camera, spontaneous conversations and natural moments emerged that added warmth and relatability to counterbalance the abstract performance visuals.

An interview with representatives from Lichfield Arts shaped the narrative framework and added essential context, grounding the film in the passion and community effort behind the scenes. The closing speech by Fuse Director Cathy Fellows provided a natural sense of resolution, bringing the festival’s themes of dedication, collaboration and community spirit into focus.

The result is a multi-layered portrait of Fuse Festival that blends the personalities of its young performers with the visceral thrill of live performance and the commitment of the people who bring the event to life.