Southampton filmmaker showcases film at Curzon Cinema in Soho, London

Evan Preston, 23, first learned what the role of a film director entailed at age 10, and ever since has aspired to make his own films behind the camera.

Evan’s dream became a reality when he was studying film at the University of the West of England, in Bristol.

While holidaying in Vietnam, Evan was captivated by the mesmerising art on show, returning to England to write and direct, Suong – a story about a Vietnamese art student experiencing visions she needs to understand in order to repair the fractured relationship with her father.

He told the Echo: “After returning to university from my trip to Vietnam I felt inspired to make something.

“I got chatting to some Vietnamese students and I heard some heartbreaking personal stories in some cases of life back home.

“I’d previously made a couple of short films that were horror related but it felt right for this to be set as a drama.

“The film was made in six months from start to finish, entirely shot in Bristol, but I’ve studied film throughout my life, taking courses at Wyvern College and Barton Peveril.”

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With the 10-minute short film made, Evan wrote to a host of London’s top cinema’s, with the prestigious Curzon Cinema, in Soho agreeing to showcase the film’s premier for its cast and crew.

Evan said: “I’d always dreamed of having a screening for one of my films in central London, so it was a surreal experience.

“Watching something on the big screen that started out as an original idea in my head is pretty mind blowing.”

Now living near Eastleigh having graduated from university and working full-time as an independent filmmaker, Evan plans to make his next film entirely in Southampton.

He added: “I think Southampton has quite an underrated arts scene so it would be really interesting to explore that.

“I’m keen to interact with people and I’m always looking to grow as a filmmaker.”