THE DAYDREAMERS

Thomas Renckens - 33 mins | UK, 2020

What if you're addicted to your own fantasy? THE DAYDREAMERS takes a closer look at Maladaptive Daydreaming, a psychological condition discovered by professor Eli Somer. Protagonists Agatha and Jessica meet Somer on-camera, providing a moving testimony of their experience living a life cut off from reality.

Available only in the UK

Competition British Documentary

Thomas Renckens

Thomas Renckens is a Dutch documentary filmmaker based in London. A recurring theme in his films is the conflict between fantasy and reality. Growing up in Friesland – a rural region in the north of the Netherlands – Thomas spent a great part of his childhood fantasising about being elsewhere. This urge for escapism came to define his work.

While at the National Film & Television School, Thomas directed the films I am never really here (2018), Taking the Plunge (2018), Jenny & The Highway Blockers (2019), and his graduation film The Daydreamers (2020).

Before studying at the National Film & Television School, Thomas worked for indie prod comps such as October Films and Lion Television for 5+ years. While there, he developed documentary programmes for broadcasters such as the Discovery Channel, Channel 4, BBC, and Viceland.

Said Englund - Producer

Said grew up in Stockholm and has a multi-ethnic background with a Swedish father and Persian mother. He realized at an early age that he wanted to choose a creative career path, While working as a production manager on smaller productions he quickly became aware of his talents in the field of producing. In just a short time he has produced numerous music videos, commercials and short films. Wich one of his short's lead to an adaptation of a Drama-series witch he has successfully involved the Swedish public service channel (SVT) in development. Said just recently graduated from The National Film and Television School doing an MA in Producing.