SALT
Director: Alice Ward
WINNER: Best Short Documentary
Cast:Alice Ward
Crew:Producer: Alice Ward
Email:alicerosalineward@gmail.com
Synopsis
Sodium chloride is vital for all life, serving as the primary salt in seawater and an essential compound within our bodies.
This is a short film exploring the role salt has played throughout filmmaker, Alice Ward’s life. From her mother noticing her skin was unusually salty at birth which led to a diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis to Alice becoming the first woman in Ireland to start shooting in the water to capture surfing from a female perspective.
Trailer
About the director
Alice Ward is a filmmaker and photographer, originally from Dublin, she now resides on the west coast of Ireland. She holds a BSc in Multimedia from Dublin City University. Alice’s roots in Ireland and her upbringing near the sea have cultivated a profound connection to the Atlantic Ocean and its surrounding landscapes.
In her work, she channels this intimate relationship in a way that is distinctly her own. Alice’s directorial debut, “Ebb and Flow,” gained international recognition. Screening in 15 film festivals worldwide and was named the best “Women in Surf” film at The Portuguese Surf Film Festival 2020. She also received an honorary mention for “Best Emerging Irish Female Director” at The Indie Cork Film Festival 2020. “Other Land” was awarded ‘Best Cinematography’ at the Bells Beach Surf Film Festival 2023 and won ‘Best Soundtrack’ at the Portuguese Surf Film Festival 2022.
Beyond her endeavours in the ocean, Alice has always had an appreciation for contemporary art and culture. Within the framework of her company, Sea Pea Films, the collaboration extends beyond the lens, involving local musicians, graphic designers, and artists. This approach is a pivotal aspect of Sea Pea Films, reflecting Alice’s belief in the synergies created by diverse artistic voices.
Filmmaker's note
Born in Dublin on the 15th July 1995. One of the first things my mother noticed was how salty my skin was. Little did she know that this was a tale tell sign for Cystic Fibrosis. Even though she flagged it with the doctors it took seven months for them to diagnose me with Cystic Fibrosis and during that time I was not expected to live. CF is a life threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. It’s caused by a faulty gene that affects the movement of salt and water in and out of cells. From the moment I was born salt has played an integral role in my life.
Despite being an extremely sick child where a lot of my life revolved around daily medication routines and long hospital stays, I had a very happy childhood surrounded by nature and the great outdoors. During my teen years I found myself becoming enthralled by both surfing and filmmaking. From there my intertwining journey of filmmaking and the ocean began.
I am now an award winning filmmaker who became the first woman in Ireland to start swimming out to shoot surf from the water. I have been driven by the need to share stories of other women and their innate relationships with the ocean from a
cold water context.
I was compelled to create this film for three significant reasons. Firstly, I want to demonstrate to individuals grappling with serious illnesses that their conditions need not always dictate their lives,
and they possess capabilities beyond their doctors prognoses.
Secondly, I aim to illustrate the positive impact that immersing myself in the ocean has had on my health. I surf and swim with my camera all year around, embracing the harsh Irish winters and cold water. It has made me tough and resilient, both mentally and physically. The ocean has become one of my most important medicines.
Lastly, I am motivated to empower women to embrace the role of storyteller behind the lens. My journey into surf filmmaking was propelled by the lack of female representation in the Irish surf scene.
I hope that ‘Salt’ inspires and empowers anyone who might be in a similar position to me.