
Dan Thorburn
Directing
Biography
Dan is a writer and director from the North of England. Originally a painter, he studied at Central Saint Martins School of Art where he transitioned his practice into film. He has directed award winning drama and his portfolio expands to contemporary dance film. He is a BAFTA Connect member, an alumni of Screen Yorkshire’s FLEX, won the Sony Future Filmmaker award 2023.
Known For

Liam spends his days drinking with friends and racing his motorbike across the roads of his Welsh coastal town. He helps run a failing caravan park with his father, Glenn, who clings to the belief that prosperity will soon return. When an insurance inspector reveals the land they own is worthless as a result of rising sea levels, Liam must convince his father to abandon his lifelong home. Their conflict over control of the park leads to desperate measures.
Salt Water Town

Two power-line repair men work across rural areas of the UK in peace. When one returns from a family bereavement, the quiet working relationship they both had is put under pressure.
Trucker's Atlas
Set in an abstract world where having one’s Art go ‘viral’ is the ultimate marker of success; the story follows struggling artist Bea, and proud tradesman brother, Fin.
The Painter and the Poet

The man works his farm. He is caked in mud and dirt and apart from the faint noise of his cattle all is silent. He shovels just as he has done every day since he can remember. As he works he is deep in thought, caught in a cyclical daydream, snapped out of it only by approaching footsteps.
Coward
We Rise, the third and final film of Transfiguration, follows Fallen Angels Dance Theatre dancers in recovery. Based on a real account and poetry of Frank, a late Fallen Angels participant, We Rise explores the challenges of rehabilitation, facing adversity and how creativity can set you free. Will those in recovery grow from the past to move forward and rise?
Transfiguration: We Rise

Following the death of her mother, terminally ill Aubrey tracks down her estranged father, Doug, an Irish-folk musician playing in a pub. After revealing the recent death of her mother, she convinces him to take her to scatter the ashes, offering him £200 for his time. After noticing a flyer for a music competition in Aberdeen, Doug spots an opportunity to make some money and agrees, relaying that the ashes be scattered in Cruden Bay, just outside of Aberdeen. As the two travel north to Scotland, Aubrey battles with her illness and Doug's stubborn behaviour, but the pair gradually find themselves becoming closer. This unravels when Aubrey finds the competition flyer, revealing the true reason for being in Aberdeenshire. A fierce argument breaks out and Aubrey storms down to the beach to scatter her mothers ashes alone. Doug follows her and stands looking on as the ashes are poured into the sea.
Near Wild Heaven

I Fall, is a dance film created and choreographed by people in recovery from addiction. It explores the carnage and chaos of addiction. Focusing on the twisted love story between two addicts - how they can’t live with or without each other – and their unbearable compulsion to use. But through the despair, we see that recovery, love and hope are possible.
I Fall
A performance drama concerning an addict in the early days of recovery.