Directing

Chris Newby

After graduating from the Royal College of Art, Chris Newby made a number of 16mm cine-poems for the Arts Council about remote islands, such as Stromboli. ‘Relax’, made for the British Film Institute’s New Directors scheme won many awards including Best Experimental Short at Melbourne. It was followed by his first feature, ‘Anchoress’ which was official entry at the Cannes Film Festival. From 2005…

Known For

Anchoress

Anchoress · 1993

MovieDramaHorror

A 14th-century peasant becomes transfixed by a statue of the Virgin Mary, and petitions to be walled into a cell attached to the church as a religious hermit.

Dickens in London

Dickens in London · 2012

Dickens in London

The life of Charles Dickens recreated using puppets, live action and animation. An experimental visualisation by Chris Newby of a pre-recorded radio drama written by Michael Eaton and directed by Jeremy Mortimer.

Madagascar Skin

Madagascar Skin · 1995

Madagascar Skin

This is the story of Harry and Flint, an unlikely couple. Harry is a shy young gay man who can't seem to fit into his local bar scene. Flint is a crusty, older, and seemingly straight man with a questionable background. They meet on a gorgeous coastline, and evolve from distrust to deep love.

Relax

An elegant film about one man's fears and fantasies regarding HIV testing.

Something Understood

Something Understood · 2010

Something Understood

MovieDocumentary

Rituals of prayer in the Norfolk countryside.

The Old Man of the Sea

The Old Man of the Sea · 1989

The Old Man of the Sea

MovieDramaFantasy

An old, bedridden man plays games that have a hint of the sinister about them.

Mudlarking

Mudlarking · 2026

MovieDocumentary

Poetic documentary about London.

Lockdown 1329

Lockdown 1329 · 2021

MovieDocumentary

An essay by Anchoress director Chris Newby that explores parallels between COVID lockdown in the UK and Christine Carpenter’s experience as an anchoress, featuring outtakes from the film.

Filmography

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Anchoress

Anchoress · 1993

MovieDramaHorror

A 14th-century peasant becomes transfixed by a statue of the Virgin Mary, and petitions to be walled into a cell attached to the church as a religious hermit.

Director

Dickens in London

Dickens in London · 2012

Dickens in London

The life of Charles Dickens recreated using puppets, live action and animation. An experimental visualisation by Chris Newby of a pre-recorded radio drama written by Michael Eaton and directed by Jeremy Mortimer.

Animation

Madagascar Skin

Madagascar Skin · 1995

Madagascar Skin

This is the story of Harry and Flint, an unlikely couple. Harry is a shy young gay man who can't seem to fit into his local bar scene. Flint is a crusty, older, and seemingly straight man with a questionable background. They meet on a gorgeous coastline, and evolve from distrust to deep love.

Writer

Relax

An elegant film about one man's fears and fantasies regarding HIV testing.

Writer

Something Understood

Something Understood · 2010

Something Understood

MovieDocumentary

Rituals of prayer in the Norfolk countryside.

Director

The Old Man of the Sea

The Old Man of the Sea · 1989

The Old Man of the Sea

MovieDramaFantasy

An old, bedridden man plays games that have a hint of the sinister about them.

Director

Mudlarking

Mudlarking · 2026

MovieDocumentary

Poetic documentary about London.

Director

Lockdown 1329

Lockdown 1329 · 2021

MovieDocumentary

An essay by Anchoress director Chris Newby that explores parallels between COVID lockdown in the UK and Christine Carpenter’s experience as an anchoress, featuring outtakes from the film.

Director

Boys' Shorts

Boys' Shorts · 1993

MovieComedyDrama

In these sexy, fun and darkly entertaining boys shorts, we see the hilarious terrors of gay childhood, an Internet hook-up with unexpected motivation and what happens when you hate musicals. You might wonder if theres hope for a gay Lothario, and sometimes you'll see that when you go home, the end is just the beginning.

Director

Flicker

Flicker · 2001

MovieDocumentary

A film inspired by the annual bonfire night celebrations held on November 5th in Lewes, East Sussex, commemorating both the Gunpowder Plot and 17 Protestant martyrs burnt at the stake in the town.

Director

Stromboli

Stromboli · 1997

Director

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis · 2006

MovieDocumentary

The journey of a long distance swimmer becomes a voyage through all four elements.

Director

A Short Trip to Shere

A Short Trip to Shere · 2021

A Short Trip to Shere

Anchoress director Chris Newby documents the location of the real Christine Carpenter’s anchoress cell at St. James’ Church in Shere, England.

Director

A Queer Refugee’s Suitcase

A Queer Refugee’s Suitcase · 2019

A Queer Refugee’s Suitcase

MovieDocumentary

The story of a young gay man who faced persecution due to his sexuality and made a frightening journey to the UK with just a suitcase.

Director

Kiss

A celebration of the physical phenomenon of the kiss.

Director