Fresh Film and Director Stefan Hunt Win BAFTA for 'They Saw The Sun First'

Fresh Film New York and director Stefan Hunt won Best Short Form Programme for ‘They Saw The Sun First’, a genre-bending art-house documentary using dance and physicality to explore themes of youthfulness, ageing, fear, regret. A film full of old souls and young spirits. 

In Stefan’s words, ‘In a year when the elderly were so affected by the pandemic, this film felt so timely to celebrate the beauty and the wisdom of our elders.’ 

The film addresses the often deepening chasm that exists between our generations. It sets out to reframe this by listening first and interpreting what it means to listen to our elders. 

Various dancers were given a voice to interpret (without ever meeting the owner of that voice) through dance, movement, emotive states and space, the younger generation of dancers are led by Movement Director Vanessa Marian to create their emotive performances. 

The film’s title derives from an old African proverb: “Old people’s speech is not to be dishonoured - after all, they saw the sun first.” 

The documentary was produced by Fresh Film Productions, New York for Red Bull Media House, London & Salzburg - part of an initiative focused on excellent storytelling applied to human interest documentaries. 

Link to full film and trailer here