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Eleanor UK signs Georgia Oakley
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Capturing real, lived queer stories, Oakley’s emotive narratives resonate with audiences that have long felt unseen.
Georgia Oakley’s grand entrance into the British indie cinema landscape lights a creative fuse. Her step into the commercial world with Eleanor promises to ignite a wildfire of craft-focused, deeply human storytelling.
Oakley’s intimate portraits unfurl with gentle grace and yet hold searing sociopolitical parallels. Capturing real, lived queer stories, Oakley’s emotive narratives resonate with audiences that have long felt unseen.
Premiering at the 2022 Venice Film Festival, Oakley’s debut feature Blue Jean received an outpouring of audience love and critical acclaim, including the People’s Choice Award, a nomination for the BAFTA Outstanding Debut by a British Director award, and 13 nominations for the British Independent Film awards. A poignant story of identity and community starring Rosy McEwen, Blue Jean unravels the double life of a lesbian P.E. teacher living in 1980s England, under Section 28 legislation prohibiting the ‘promotion of homosexuality’.
“I wanted to make a film that touched on the performative element of self. The idea that we can be one person in one part of our life, maybe at work, and another person at home, and how internalised homophobia plays into that,” says Oakley.
Receiving world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival, Georgia’s short film Little Bird also tells a story of identity against a stunning glimpse of the past. This captivating short, starring Emily Taaffe & Imelda Staunton, follows an ambitious young woman’s fight for new possibilities amid 1941's war-torn London.
“Georgia’s stories are human,” says Sophie Gold “Her narratives unfold beautifully with raw emotion and stunning elegance. Her taste level is evident and her talent is undeniable. She is telling stories that have yet to be told with distinguished craft.”
Jack Howard, Eleanor UK Executive Producer, says, “Georgia and I met at the Berlin Film Festival over a decade ago and I’ve been following her trajectory ever since. Her work is compelling to watch; the cinematography, casting, performances, production design, music sync are all on point and intoxicating to experience when pieced together so meticulously. Georgia is able to paint scenes of high drama or light-hearted moments of daily life in a way that has caught the attention of many and garnered international acclaim. Georgia is the perfect addition to the Eleanor UK roster and I’m excited to see her apply her craft to the advertising world.”
“I've been thinking about moving into the commercial world for some time,” says Oakley. “When I read about Eleanor online, I immediately was like this one, this is the company. This is the start of something really exciting, and to be invited to be part of that is really wonderful. All the conversations I've had so far with the Eleanor team have felt like we're marching to the beat of the same drum. I feel very lucky to have been brought into the fold, and I look forward to what the future holds.”
Oakley’s step into the commercial sphere marks a thrilling turn for craft-centered cinema, the union of entertainment and advertising, and the power of diverse perspectives behind the lens.
