Lloyd The Instructor

Synopsis: Lloyd is a father, a first generation Jamaican and a driving instructor. We follow Dylan, the last of four brothers to learn with Lloyd, in his early lessons as he gains competency behind the wheel from total beginner stage. In his laid-back style Lloyd imparts his years of wisdom onto the South London youth as he teaches them the basics of driving - like a Jamaican Mr. Miyagi or Pai Mei he uses metaphors to get his students to grasp the meaning behind their actions as they seek out the independence that comes with having a driver’s license. Spaces in which young Black men are offered the chance to be vulnerable and risk failure without judgement can be far and few between but the liminal space of the car creates an environment wherein these intimate moments can flourish.

Director Bio: Donell is a director & writer of independent films and music videos as well as a production freelancer in the film/HETV industry. He aims to use inventive character-centred storytelling in order to create work that reflects his community. His work has screened at various festivals: Cinemagic Young Filmmaker Awards, Derby Film Festival, NAHEMI Eat Our Shorts Awards, Barnes Film Festival, and BAFTA-qualifying film festival S.O.U.L. Fest at BFI Southbank. In 2020, he was one of eleven writers selected for support from a BFI NETWORK short film development programme. He also received mentorship through B3 Media on their Origin programme and became a recipient of their Associate Artist Award receiving financial support toward his creative development. In addition to his independent work he has experience as a 1st AD, assistant producer and production assistant for BBC, Netflix and Sky productions.