Andrew Dipper

Josie Long in comedy short film tour

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Last year, Josie Long and director Doug King made two short comedy films in Glasgow called Let’s Go Swimming and Romance and Adventure, which were nominated for a BAFTA Scotland New Talent Award.

Now Long and King are to embark on a tour of independent cinemas this November – including two nights at The Star and Shadow Cinema in Newcastle.

Long wrote and stars in both films, which follow one young woman’s awkward rite of passage into modern adulthood.

In Let’s Go Swimming, Josie has left her life in London for a better one in Glasgow, the indie band theme park where she will finally be happy and accepted. But sitting in cafes and going to gigs on your own isn’t as fulfilling as she’d hoped.

While the blurb for Romance and Adventure reads: “Darren is Josie’s best friend. Josie is Darren’s flatmate. Approaching 30, Josie is desperate to travel, to escape, to do something big. Darren is happy having his meals cooked by someone other than his mum.

“Together they drink Buckfast and wander the streets, wondering why their friends are becoming old and boring, with houses and marriages and kitchens to retile. Together they make fun of squares and make up games, it’s them against the world, or so Josie hopes. How much can you rely on a friend who doesn’t want to grow up?”

At each date on the tour, Long will perform a short intro before the films and both Doug & Josie will take part in an audience Q&A afterwards.

Long said: “Making these films was the best time of my life ever. I’m so proud that we now get to show them to audiences.

“At every stage from chatting about ideas, to writing, to rehearsing, planning and realising them onscreen, we’ve been powered by massive enthusiasm and excitement.”

Long and King are currently working on the script for a full length feature film, which will be script edited by Jesse Armstrong.

Tour dates for Doug & Josie: Let’s Go Adventure:

  • 2 Nov – Greenwich Comedy Festival, Greenwich Picturehouse (4pm)
  • 3 Nov – Oldham, Playhouse 2 (7.30pm)
  • 5 Nov – Glasgow, GFT (8.45pm)
  • 6 Nov – Edinburgh, Filmhouse cinema (9pm)
  • 7-8 Nov – Newcastle, Star & Shadow
  • 9 Nov – Birmingham Electric (9pm)
  • 10 Nov – Tywyn, Magic Lantern Cinema (6pm)
  • 11 Nov – Oxford Picturehouse (8pm)
  • 12 Nov – Cardiff, Charter (8pm)
  • 14 Nov – Northampton, Erol Flynn (8.30pm)
  • 15 Nov – Bristol, Scott Cinema (7pm)
  • 16 Nov – Penzance, The Acorn (8pm)
  • 20 Nov – Exeter, Phoenix (8pm)
  • 22 Nov – Hackney Picturehouse (9.15pm)
  • 24 Nov – Leicester, Phoenix (8pm)
  • 25 Nov Leeds, Picturehouse (9pm)
  • 26 Nov – Cambridge Picturehouse (9pm)
  • 27 Nov – Norwich Picturehouse (8.45pm)
  • 28 Nov – Lexi Kensal Rise (NW3) Picturehouse (9pm)
  • 2 Dec – Brighton, Duke of York Picturehouse (9pm)