Rebecca’s wildlife film impresses at festivals across the world

Rebecca Sills teamed up with her father Dean to film The Wild Garden — a documentary focused on animal activity in their Bolton-upon-Dearne garden — during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The pair entered the documentary into film festivals around the globe and it grabbed attention in several countries.

Named as a finalist at the Flight Deck Film Festival in New York, it was officially selected for the Beyond The Curve festival in France, FlickFair festival in Los Angeles, the Lift-Off Global Network Sessions and Monthly Indie Shorts.

Closer to home, The Wild Garden was also selected for the Dearne Community Arts' Festival.

Rebecca, who is studying fine art practice at Barnsley College,  said: “The documentary came about during lockdown when we got a family of squirrels coming into our garden.

“I took a short clip of one and sent it into ITV’s Calendar programme and it was shown on TV.

“My dad and I then started filming them each day from 5am or 6am and decided to make a wildlife film with the help of my

dad’s friend, Steve Call, who helped with the music, editing and titles.

“Making the documentary was an amazing experience, with father and daughter bonding and doing something positive during a difficult time.

“We are blown away with the success considering it's a low budget film which we funded ourselves.

“It is very rewarding because my dad and I did something positive in a year which has been hell for some people.

“It shows you can achieve anything if you try.”