26/03/2026
Delighted to share that The Banjo Boys has picked up its first international win at the in Muskogee, Oklahoma, receiving the Selby Minner Award.
In the photo I’m holding the award — a literal bonehead from Shiron Butterfly.
Bare Bones celebrates the filmmakers who wear multiple hats just to get the job done, which is exactly how this film came together.
On this project I took on directing, editing, composing and shooting, just to get it over the line.
Huge thanks to my two fellow bonehead co-creators:
Neil — not only the band’s manager, roadie, chaperone, therapist and sound engineer, but also a composer, producer, narrator, and one of the film’s three central protagonists.
Tim — our lead producer, who helped shape shoots, contributed to the edit, and somehow found the money whenever we needed to capture another leg of the journey (all while running a tech company).
It was a mad four-day trip out there, but the reception was incredible. The warmth of the audience and the deep love of music really stayed with us.
The film even seemed to bring a bit of Malawian weather with it — from 7°C earlier in the week to 33°C by the time we arrived.
Learning more about Selby’s life and legacy made the award even more meaningful.
Next up: UK screenings — South West tour (Wimborne, Bristol), plus Nottingham and a return to London.
Great to catch ’s Love, Chaos, Kin, and to reconnect with — jamming with local musicians (including some Cherokee players) out in Oklahoma.
