A SUNDAY IN THE VALE OF TEARS

Director Biography:

Maxine is a writer/director with Southern African roots. She currently works as an Assistant Script Editor at New Pictures, where she is involved in developing high-end scripted television for broadcasters like the BBC, Amazon, ITV, Netflix, Sky and HBO. She is currently in production as Assistant Script Editor on COBRA 3, New Pictures’ returning political thriller for Sky One starring Robert Carlyle. In 2020, Maxine was commissioned by New Creatives North to write and direct a short film. The New Creatives programme is funded by the Arts Council and BBC Arts, and its intention is to provide a platform for emerging filmmakers across the UK. The film, titled Sapphire of the Valley, premiered on BBC 4 in the spring of 2022 – as part of the “Female Filmmakers Too” TV Special.

Maxine has various industry experience under her belt, including working in Development at Unstoppable Film and TV and shadowing acclaimed director of Fortitude, Power, Ripper Street, Kieron Hawkes, during his year leading SKY One’s Intergalactic. As a writer/director Maxine draws inspiration from her experiences growing up in a township in Bulawayo, and her extensive knowledge of cinema, particularly Czech cinema and Italian horror cinema of the 70s. She loves the work of legendary filmmakers like Sergei Parajonov, Vera Chytilova, and David Cronenberg. Films that are daring and tonally distinctive made by filmmakers who have innovated and elevated the art of cinema. Her work so far has elaborated on themes of identity and social issues by use of the experimental and horror genres.