The Elvermen

Documentary

Shot over a moonlit night, THE ELVERMEN is an atmospheric film that reveals the last of a hidden community hunting an endangered fish.

As the sun sets on the banks of the River Severn on the outskirts of an impoverished city in the UK, a group of men gather in a race to catch a vanishing creature; the elusive elver.

After a day working in a print factory in Gloucester, Dave drives to the moonlit banks of the River Severn to hunt for an elusive fish, the rare elver (baby-eel), supposedly worth more than their weight in gold. Over the course of a night we experience the mysterious world of the Elvermen: the addictive gamble and stake-out amongst fathers, sons, brothers and friends. Phone calls of frustration and joy echo down a river lit by headtorches.

THE ELVERMEN shows how a rite of passage has changed into a fight for values: of tradition, community, and a connection to nature in an environment of impending change.

Supported by the BFI Doc Society ‘Made of Truth’ Grant

“An atmospheric account”- Variety, On Filming the Elusive Elver

“Grounded and elegiac” - The Quiet Power of The Elvermen

FESTIVALS & SCREENINGS

Official Selection CAMERIMAGE Short Documentary Competition 2021

Official Selection RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2021

Official Selection AESTHETICA 2021

Official Selection CAMDEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, 2021

Official Selection SHEFFIELD DOC/FEST 2021 (UK Competition)

Official Selection CORNWALL Film Festival 2021

Official Selection UN FOOD X Film Festival 2021

Official Selection Hebrides International Film Festival 2021