Luna Carmoon
Luna Carmoon | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1997 or 1998 (age 26–27) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2018–present |
Luna Carmoon (né Hollie Moore;[1] born 1997 or 1998[2]) is an English screenwriter and film director,[3] known for her 2023 debut feature film Hoard starring Joseph Quinn and Hayley Squires produced by BBC Film, Delaval Film, Erebus Pictures, Anti-Worlds and the British Film Institute.[4] Hoard premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival.[5]
Early life
[edit]Carmoon was born in Downham, Lewisham.[6][7] Her father works as a plumber and her mother a hairdresser, they are divorced.[7] She grew up on a council estate with her mum, sister, grandfather, and late-grandmother, who appears at the end of Hoard.[7]
At 17, she realised that she could become a filmmaker and began applying to schemes that did not need a degree, as she could not afford to go to film school.[8]
Prior to becoming to filmmaker, Carmoon worked at her local CeX,[2] she was also employed at a garden centre.[9]
Career
[edit]In 2019, Carmoon made her first short film Nosebleed with Sky Arts and National Youth Theatre via their "shortFLIX" scheme, ran by Creative UK.[3] The film was screened at BFI London Film Festival and was broadcast on television the same year.[10] The following year, Carmoon was selected as a Sundance Ignite fellow[11] and directed her second short film Shagbands, produced by Film4 and BFI.
Prior to making Hoard, Carmoon was developing a script with Film4 who, she claims, then "ghosted" for a year after they put the project on "indefinite hold". [8]
Carmoon eventually made her feature film debut with Hoard in 2023, after a work in process screening at the 2022 BFI London Film Festival.[12] The film premiered to mixed reviews at the 80th Venice International Film Festival. For Hoard, Carmoon received Special Mention for Direction at 2024 Luxembourg City Film Festival.[13]
In 2025, Carmoon was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. Subsequently becoming a member of BAFTA Breakthrough.[14]
Her next project is confirmed to be a book adaptation that she is transposing to the 1930s, and which will also draw influence from her own grandmother’s diaries.[3]
She has contributed to both Sight and Sound and Tate Etc.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Nosebleed | Yes | Yes | No | Short Film | [15] |
| 2020 | Shagbands | Yes | Yes | No | Short Film | [16] |
| 2023 | Hoard | Yes | Yes | No | [4] |
Personal life
[edit]In an interview with Another Magazine, Carmoon opened up about her struggle with depression during the COVID 19 lockdown, stating that Hoard, originally a 20-page short story, was intended as a suicide note.[6][7]
She is currently in a relationship.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "CREATIVE ENGLAND ANNOUNCE AMBITIONS FOR SECOND ROUND OF SHORTFILM INITIATIVE SHORTFLIX IN PARNTERSHIP WITH SKY AND THE NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE - National Youth Theatre". www.nyt.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ a b "6 names to have on your radar this spring". The Face. 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ a b c Cooper, Sarah (2022-06-29). "Stars of Tomorrow 2022: Luna Carmoon (writer/director)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ a b "Hoard". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (2023-09-02). "Hoard review – a haunting study of loneliness and thwarted sexuality". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ a b AnOther (2023-09-15). "Luna Carmoon's Hypnotically Strange Debut Film About Hoarders". AnOther. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ a b c d e Gilbey, Ryan (2024-05-15). "'I am gross, animal and carnal': Luna Carmoon on her disturbing, stinky-scented new film". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
- ^ a b Ntim, Zac (2024-12-18). "Luna Carmoon On The Battle Of Producing Her Debut 'Hoard', Being "Ghosted" By Film Four & Why She Will Never Trade The UK For Hollywood: "I'm Not Interested In Americana"". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
- ^ Georgiades, Luke (2024-03-15). "Luna Carmoon: "Even when I was little I was always in touch with my shadow."". A Rabbit's Foot. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ "British Council Film: Nosebleed". film-directory.britishcouncil.org. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ "Sundance Institute and Adobe Announce 2019 Sundance Ignite Fellows - sundance.org". 2018-11-12. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2022-09-19). "London Film Festival Unveils Works-in-Progress Showcase". Variety. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ Vassilis, Economou (2024-03-11). "Terrestrial Verses wins big at the Luxembourg City Film Festival". Cineuropa. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ^ "'Hoard' director Luna Carmoon discusses Bafta Breakthrough". faroutmagazine.co.uk. 2024-11-21. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
- ^ Balanescu, Miriam (2020-03-05). "The unstoppable rise of nosebleeds in cinema". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
- ^ "Shagbands". Film Hub North. Retrieved 2023-12-26.