The Happiness Thief

Starring: Tom Brooke, Chloe Smyth and Beans El-Balawi

A miserable little girl curses her younger brother for being so happy, not realising that her curse would summon a grotesque figure who, in the darkness of night, violently steals the boy´s happiness. Horrified and ridden with guilt, the girl chases the Thief onto the city´s rooftops in a desperate attempt to bargain with him, but he is not an easy creature to please.

Colour ⁄ Hi Def. ⁄ 16:9 ⁄ Duration 13”30’ ⁄ © NFTS 2004

* 2004 Cinefondation - Festival De Cannes, France
* 2004 48th London Film Festival
* 2004 Camerimage International Film Festival, Poland
* 2005 Fantasporto International Film Festival, Portugal
* 2005 Fic Mostoles International Film Festival, Spain
* 2005 Tiberon International Film Festival, USA

Password: Delfilm

This was the film I had wanted to make for the last ten years. Although it was very stressful on set, it's simplicity and beauty kept me motivated and even after dozens of screenings I still do not get bored watching it. I think the idea was subconsciously inspired by a brilliant channel 4 animation I saw in the early nineties called The Sandman along with more well-known influences including the Child Catcher, The Wicked Witch Of The West, E.T., Alien and even Homer Simpson.