The Watchers Brings Big Wins for Infinitra Films
- Karin Blak
- May 5
- 3 min read
There’s something incredibly special about seeing local creative talent recognised on an international stage, and that is exactly what’s happening for Dan and the team at Infinitra Films. This Market Harborough-based film studio has recently been shortlisted as a semi-finalist at the Stockholm Short Film Festival, adding to an already impressive list of accolades for their latest film, The Watchers.
Written and directed by Dan, The Watchers explores a powerful and thought-provoking theme: what happens after death, and whether redemption is ever possible. Set within what appears to be a quiet forest, the story follows James as he encounters the unsettling discovery of his own lifeless body. As confusion and fear take hold, he is approached by a mysterious figure known only as The Watcher — someone who seems to know him, despite James having no memory of him. What unfolds is a haunting exploration of repetition, memory and the possibility of escape.
At its heart, the film delves into ideas of purgatory, loss and loneliness. For Dan, the story carries a deeply personal resonance. Written as what he describes as a “warped comfort to loss,” the film reflects his own experiences of grief and the quiet, human hope that somehow, those we have lost might find a way back to us. It is this emotional depth that gives The Watchers its impact, a film that is as reflective as it is unsettling.
The response to the film has been extraordinary. Infinitra Films has already received major recognition across international festivals, winning Best Indie Short Film at the:
New York Film Awards,
Florence Film Awards,
Milan Gold Awards and
London Movie Awards,
alongside a Silver Plate Award at the Paris Film Awards. The film has also been selected as
a semi-finalist at the Hamburg Indie Film Festival, with results still to come.
For Dan and his team, these achievements have come as both a surprise and a delight, but rather than celebrate with grand gestures, success is planned by coming together in the summer for a barbecue, a chance to reflect on what they’ve achieved and, importantly, how they can continue to grow and improve. While travel and time constraints have meant they haven’t been able to attend many international festivals, they have supported local screenings where possible. Earlier this year, The Watchers was shown at Phoenix Leicester’s Platform Shorts showcase, an experience the team found incredibly rewarding, particularly for the opportunity to see audience reactions and receive feedback from fellow filmmakers.
Despite this success, Dan is quick to highlight the collaborative nature of filmmaking. He credits the dedication and talent of the cast: Finn Connor, Ken Ogborn, Jade Smith and Ele Shepherd, alongside the hard work of the crew, including Liam Fish and Nathan Gubbins. Together, they have created something that not only resonates with audiences but stands confidently alongside work from filmmakers across the world.
As The Watchers continues its festival run, it isn’t yet publicly available to watch. However, two of Infinitra Films’ previous award-winning films, Clown and Little Signs, can be viewed on their website, and audiences can follow their journey across social media. Once the festival run is complete, The Watchers will also be shared online.
Looking ahead, the team has plenty in the pipeline, including two upcoming releases: Disaster Chef and Stuck, which will be available on YouTube in the coming months.
Creative Harborough warmly congratulates Dan and everyone at Infinitra Films on these outstanding achievements. It is inspiring to see such creativity, collaboration and ambition emerging from our local community, and we look forward to following their journey as it continues to unfold.
Read more about Infinitra Films and watch their short films:
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