Brighton filmmaker Gabriel Foster Prior is set to make his feature film debut with “The Bystanders,” starring Seann Walsh. This film is a sci-fi comedy that takes audiences on a journey into a parallel dimension where invisible immortals watch over their subjects and occasionally interfere in their lives, often with unintended consequences.
The filmmaking includes hand-drawn rotoscope animation, which Gabriel took on himself, adding a distinctive touch to the film’s unique visual style. The story revolves around a cast of misfits and loners who are selected from the human world to serve as “Bystanders,” tasked with observing and occasionally meddling in the lives of their subjects.
“The Bystanders” was co-written with Jack Hughes and boasts an impressive cast that includes comedian Seann Walsh in the lead role, supported by actors like Scott Haran, Andi Jashy, Georgia Mabel Clarke, Nick Helm, Lucy Pinder, David Schaal, and more.
Having premiered at the Austin Film Festival in 2022, where it was a staff pick, “The Bystanders” has since screened at various international film festivals and has received accolades, including the Audience Award for Best Feature at the Sci-Fi London Film Festival and Best Sci-Fi Feature at the Berlin Independent Film Festival. Additionally, Seann Walsh won the Best Actor award at the Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival for his performance in the film.
Gabriel Foster Prior is the director of award-winning short films including Binoculars and The Drunk winner of Best Director at the Ealing Film Awards. The co-director for this film was John Palfery Smith who has been nominated at both Sundance and the BAFTA awards in 2023.
The UK theatrical release of “The Bystanders” is set for the 3rd of November 2023, with a special preview Q&A screenings scheduled in Manchester, Brighton, and London. The special preview will take place at The Duke of York’s Picturehouse in Brighton on the 18th of October at 8 pm.
Here you can watch the new theatrical trailer: https://youtu.be/Rh0I7CWtrK8
Like what you see? Get your tickets to the special preview with a live Q&A with Gabriel alongside Music Composer and Graphic Designer James ‘Foz’ Foster, VFX Artist Frank Foster and Editor Will Steer here: https://www.picturehouses.com/movie-details/the-bystanders-q-a
For more information, screening updates and tickets visit www.bystandersfilm.com
