Role | Editor, Co-Director, Cinematographer
2022 | Documentary Feature
Funders | BBC Scotland, Screen Scotland, The Open University, Melt the Fly
Distributors | Rise & Shine World Sales, The Film Collaborative, Dartmouth Films
Long Live My Happy Head
“Funny, poignant, and profound, Long Live My Happy Head introduces us to the unique talent, understated wit, and unenviable journey of Gordon Shaw, a Scottish comic book artist who is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in his early 30s. Not the least bit self-pitying but with puckish humor and admirable honesty, Gordon allows the film to accompany him and his long-distance true love Shawn—a sweet American living in Virginia—as they navigate the fragile rollercoaster of health challenges and caregiving amid the onset of COVID.
Gordon’s understated bemusement and inherent comic brilliance leaven the medical scenario with surprising moments that illuminate the realities of living with a terminal illness. In one scene, Gordon turns the relentless, overbearing sounds of an MRI scanner into a danceable soundtrack. Through his smart and funny artwork, Gordon finds an imaginative way to communicate what he’s feeling inside. Despite the ominous subject matter, this brave and somehow inspiring film shines light and love into a world immersed in intense human challenges.” - Frameline Film Festival
Visit: www.longlivemyhappyhead.com
A bit about the process
I spent 4 years making this film alongside Austen McCowan, over this time we became close friends with Gordon and I deeply miss him. The film is my proudest work and I am so pleased to have done it. Everyone involved in the production gave it their all, Alexander Hamilton-Ayres with the original soundtrack, Ross Hogg with the animation and Barbara Toennieshen with the edit, it was working with Barbara that inspired me to pursue doc editing as my main outlet.
Awards
Winner - Documentary & Specialist Factual
Royal Television Society Scotland
Winner - Best Original Composition
Music + Sound Awards 2022
Nomination - Feature Documentary
Celtic Media Festival
Winner - Best Love Story
Reelout Queer Film Festival, The Betty Berghout Memorial Award
Winner - Best Editing
The New Haven Documentary Film Festival, Golden Slice Award

Articles
Little White Lies
BBC News
Pink News
The Film Magazine
POV Magazine
The Guardian
Film Festivals
BFI Flare | 2022
UK, London
World Premiere
Official Selection
Thessaloniki Documentary Festival | 2022
Greece, Thessaloniki
International Premiere
Official Selection
Frameline | 2022
USA, San Francisco
North American Premiere
Official Selection
SANDS International Film Festival | 2022
Scotland, St Andrews
Scottish Premiere
Official Selection
Doc Edge Festival | 2022
New Zealand, Wellington
Asia South Pacific Premiere
Official Selection
Music + Sound Awards | 2022
USA, New York
Award body
Winner: Best Original Composition
B3 Biennial | 2022
German Premiere
Official Selection
Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival | 2022
USA, Utah
Official Selection
Q Fest | 2022
USA, Wisconsin
Official Selection
Brain Film Festival | 2023
Spain, Barcelona
Washington West Film Festival | 2022
USA, Washington
Official Selection
New Haven Documentary Film Festival | 2022
USA, Connecticut
Official Selection
Windsor International Film Festival | 2022
Canada, Windsor
Canadian Premiere
Official Selection
Portland Queer Film Festival | 2022
USA, Portland
Official Selection
Award Body
Winner: Documentary and Specialist Factual
Royal Television Society Scotland | 2023
Scotland, Glasgow
Celtic Media Festival | 2023
Ireland, Donegal
Award Body
Nomination: Feature Documentary
First Fortnight | 2023
Ireland, Dublin
Official Selection
Global Health Film Festival | 2022
UK, London
Official Selection
Spanish Premiere
Official Selection
Reelout Queer Film Festival | 2023
Kingston, Canada
Official Selection
Festival Imagésanté | 2023
Liège, Belgium
Belgium Premiere
Official Selection
Global Health Film Days | 2023
Copenhagen, Denmark
Danish Premiere
Official Selection
Rainbow Visions Film Festival | 2023
Edmonton, Canada
Official Selection
Oak Cliff Film Festival | 2023
Dallas, USA
Official Selection
Fairy Tales Presentation Society | 2023
Calgary, Canada
Official Selection
MIX CPH LGBTQIA+ Film Festival | 2023
Copenhagen, Denmark
Official Selection
Lobocine Science New Wave | 2024
New York, USA
Official Selection
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