Shafeeq Vellani: Changing of the Light

(1998)

Shafeeq Vellani completed See Red, a Channel 4/BFI New Directors’ film and Escape from Somerset, a 30 minute drama for HTV/South West Media Development Agency. He has also made New Blood, a documentary for BBC2, and several shorts/documentaries for HTV and the BFI. Changing of the Light was realised through a PT short film/production award.

Changing of the Light is an elegiac documentary about Paul Copson, one of the last lighthouse keepers at Portland Bill lighthouse in Dorset, as he faces redundancy and the lighthouse is automated. Set against the landscape of the sea and the weather, the film follows Paul and his wife Bridget as they prepare to move out of their cottage and leave the service.

The film was shortlisted for Best of British Award at the British Short Film Festival and screened at the Peeping Tom Film Club, Soho; British Federation of Film Societies; START-moving image festival, 1999; Screentime, Cube Cinema, Bristol; USE-IT-Digital Autumn event at Watershed, Bristol.