Biography

Julia Stovell

Four generations of my family have served in the military from my immediate family in recent conflicts all the way back to my great grandfather who survived Gallipoli and the Battle of Mons during the First World War. This inspired in me a deep preoccupation with war, how it can break us and how we can find a way to heal from trauma. I am driven by a strong desire to explore stories with flawed complex characters, who have to dig deep to discover the strength and resilience to survive.

I wrote and directed MILK & HONEY which was nominated for Best European Dramatic Short at Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Subsequently I wrote and directed RUNAWAY for BBC1 & THE BOY WITH PROTEUS SYNDROME for Channel 4. Both broadcast on prime-time television & sold worldwide. Additionally The Boy With Proteus Syndrome was long-listed for the BAFTA HBO NEW TALENT AWARD.

I am currently working on several feature-length documentaries: WAR TORN for BBC STORYVILLE , VIETNAM WHIPLASH ,developed with BFI & produced by Alex Gibney (Citizen K) and Will Clarke (Altitude Film Entertainment) I have also been filming RAISING HELL over ten years on the hell-raiser PJ Proby with Executive Producer James Gay-Rees. (AMY)

I was recently selected for the prestigious Guiding Lights Mentoring Programme and paired with acclaimed director James Marsh (The Theory of Everything) In 2020 I was selected for the BFI NETWORK Writers Development Lab with DEADEYE. In 2021 DEADEYE was the recipient of a BFI NETWORK Early Development Award for the feature length film, with Executive Producer Christopher Eccleston. DEADEYE was a finalist in Euroscript’s 2020 Screen Story Competition, receiving an Honourable Mention and a semi-finalist in Screencraft’s Film Fund 2021.

Training

Julia was selected for BIFA (British Independent Film Awards) Springboard Programme for emerging feature directors 2021-2022 and BFI NETWORK x BAFTA Crew Development Programme 2020-2021.

Prior to this Julia was selected for GUIDING LIGHTS mentoring Programme 2016, the European development programme DOCUMENTARY MASTERSCHOOL CAMPUS 2016, FAST TRACK TO FEATURES with Sheffield Documentary Festival & Creative Skillset 2013 and the BFI London Film Festival Talent Development Programme THINK. SHOOT. DISTRIBUTE 2008.

In addition Julia was mentored by acclaimed producer Kenith Trodd (The Singing Detective) for Screen South’s TAPS development programme for new writers. She was selected as a finalist with her script “NEVER TRY TO TRICK ME WITH A KISS”, which was filmed at London Studios.