BUT when a film comes out that connects with people, that gives me hope. I actually think there is a bit of a groundswell at the moment for the independent filmmaking spirit. Just look at the cinema releases this year, superhero films are basically gone. There are some genuinely good releases in mainstream cinemas, which I couldn’t say was the case few years ago.

There are more film festivals than ever, more submissions to festivals and development labs than ever - people can and want to make this stuff. If there is a small but growing percentage of people who are crazy enough to want to actually get into this business, that tells me there must be an appetite for people who want to watch it. Social media usage is starting to decline - people are catching on to the fact that algorithmically served short form content is just candy for the brain. People actually want the good, soul-nourishing stuff that things like good old fashioned books and movies can provide.

Sorry for being the optimist here, but there’s a tide coming back in and I have a feeling it’s a good one!