On the frindge
Documentary Films · Cinematography
On The Fringe
Two films about people living life on their own terms. Shot with my friend, director Calvin Loh of The Greyscale Studio. Twelve festival wins later, here they are.
12 wins · 1 silver · 42 festival honours across 10+ countries
Director and Cinematographer
The project
Stories from the edges.
Most of my work happens underwater with a stills camera. These films pulled me the other way: onto dry land, behind a cinema camera, into the everyday lives of people most of us walk straight past.
On The Fringe is the banner Calvin and I made them under. The idea is simple. Find people who live differently, spend real time with them, and let them tell it straight. No narrator telling you what to think.
We produced both films and shot them together. Through Fire came first in 2021. Vegan-ish followed as a feature in 2023.
The Vegan-ish team, 2024.
Feature documentary
Vegan-ish
A group of people living on the margins of society, by choice. We follow them through intimate interviews and candid, unscripted moments as they work together to find food for the evening's feast.
It's about their reasons, their struggles and the camaraderie that holds them together. And it asks a fair question: what does being part of society actually mean, and how do we make room for people who live another way?
Director Calvin Loh · Producer Szabi Nemeth · Cinematography Calvin Loh, Szabi Nemeth · Production The Greyscale Studio
Full festival run
- Silver Award 2023Paris Film Awards
- Finalist 2023Red Movie Awards
- Finalist 2023Stockholm City Film Festival
- Finalist 2024Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival
- Semi Finalist 2023San Jose Independent Film Festival
- Semi Finalist 2023Santa Monica International Filmmaker Awards
- Semi Finalist 2023Melbourne Independent Film Festival
- Semi Finalist 2023Washington Film Awards
Short documentary
Through Fire
Tom spins fire. This is a look into his life and the tribe he's built around it: the people, the ritual and what keeps them coming back to the flame.
It was our first film together, and it travelled further than we ever expected. Over 30 festival honours, from Paris and Rome to Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul.
Director Calvin Loh · Producer Szabi Nemeth · Cinematography Calvin Loh, Szabi Nemeth · Subtitles Spanish, Chinese, German, Japanese
Full festival run
- Winner 2021Paris International Film Awards
- Winner 2021New Jersey Film Awards
- Winner 2021Cooper Awards
- Finalist 2021New York Tri-State International Film Festival
- Finalist 2021Roma Short Film Festival
- Finalist 2021New Jersey Film Awards, Best Editing
- Finalist 2021Stockholm City Film Festival
- Finalist 2021Toronto Independent Film Festival of CIFT
- Finalist 2022Japan International Film Festival
- Finalist 2022Seoul International Short Film Festival
- Finalist 2022Canadian Cinematography Awards
- Finalist 2022European Cinematography Awards
- Semi Finalist 2021San Francisco Indie Short Festival
- Semi Finalist 2022Stockholm Short Festival
- Semi Finalist 2022Arts and Hearts Film Festival
- Nominee 2021London Film Festival
- Quarter Finalist 2021Australian International Film Festival
- Quarter Finalist 2022Festival Revelando Novos Atores Brasileiros
- Honourable Mention 2021Tokyo International Short Film Festival
- Official Selection 2021Golden Short Film Festival
- Official Selection 2021San Diego Movie Awards
- Official Selection 2021Milan Gold Awards
- Official Selection 2021Melbourne Lift-Off Film Festival
- Official Selection 2021Tietê International Film Awards
- Official Selection 2021Golden Bridge Istanbul Short Film Festival
Work with me
Got a story worth filming?
Documentary, brand or expedition, above or below the waterline. If it's real and it matters, let's talk.