Steve Downey is a visual artist, multi-award-winning filmmaker, and writer.

This film screening coincides with a major exhibition of Steve's work at the Minories, entitled An Explosion in Colour: The Americas

Steve will be presenting a screening of six of his short films, as follows:

JUST BEFORE DAWN

This 17-minute film was made in 1969 as the final film of Steve's 2-year course at the London Film School in Covent Garden, London. In his last year he specialised in Directing Actors and wrote a thesis about this based on his interpretation of the Stanislavski technique. The concept of "Just Before Dawn" came from his producer, Ugo Mariotti, who had also produced his previous film "Dream Palace". [Ugo later went on to produce the renowned feature film "Don't Look Now" with Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland.] The script, which Steve wrote, went through many phases and was highly influenced by his lead actor, Stefan Kalipha. Stefan had already starred in a feature film and went on to achieve a long and successful film and TV career, including acting as a Bond Villain and parts in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and the Prime Suspect TV series.

DREAM PALACE

DREAM PALACE was scripted and directed by Steve when a student at the London Film School in 1969. Based on a novella by James Purdy, this 35 mm studio black and white film starred 2 young American acters, Tony Sheer and Preston Boyd. It tells the tragic story of 2 brothers recently moved to a city from rural West Virginia, temporarily living in an empty disused house. The film is 9 minutes and 35 seconds long. The film was transposed onto video, re-edited and new music attached in November 2024. In 1969 it was shown at 3 International Film Festivals: London, Prague and Chicago.

WE ARE THE LOST GIRLS

This film features the poem "We are the Lost Girls", written and performed by Christina Jane ["C. J "]. Both Steve and Christina are on the Autism Spectrum, but were not diagnosed until they were adults. This late diagnosis helped to explain the challenges they had both experienced when children, growing up and later as adults. It is now widely recognised that traditionally it was believed that it was primarily boys who were autistic, not girls. As such many women and girls with autism were not diagnosed and therefore had to cope as best they could without proper support.

INVISIBLE

"INVISIBLE" is a short film based on the poem "Invisible" written and performed by Christina Jane. Both Steve and Christina were diagnosed with autism as adults. Christina also has ADHD, and her poem deals with how she feels about having this condition.

APPROPRIATE SOCIAL RESPONSE NUMBER 3

"Appropriate Social Response Number 3" is a short film based on a poem about Autism, written and performed by Christina Jane.

ADIOS

Adios" is the first in a series of "Poetry/Artwork Films" written, filmed and directed by Steve Downey, based on his experiences during his series of solo roadtrips across the USA. This film lasts 1 minute and 20 seconds, and covers the journey from Bodega Bay in Northern California [the location for Hitchcock's film "The Birds"] up to the Redwoods. The film also represents a loving tribute to Steve's wife, Maureen, who died in 2004, long before this trip was made. "Adios" refers to the song by Linda Ronstadt, which Steve heard on his car radio during this journey. The poem is spoken by the actor Harry Mcilroy.