Exonian nominated for best performance at Raindance Festival for lead role in UK feature film
The first Oxford University student feature film since 1982’s Privileged, which launched the careers of Imogen Stubbs (1979, English) and Hugh Grant (1979, New College), is set to premiere at this year’s Raindance Film Festival in London. Breakwater stars Exonian Daniel McNamee (2020, Classics & English) in the lead role. Daniel has been shortlisted for Best Performance in a UK Feature.
Set between Oxford and the Suffolk coast, Breakwater is a haunting and lyrical psychological drama. It follows the tentative bond between Otto, an Oxford violinist grieving the abduction of his sister, and John, a solitary angler. As the two men navigate loss and attraction, past traumas begin to surface, challenging their relationship and forcing painful reckonings.
Daniel delivers a remarkable performance as Otto, marking his feature film debut. Several other Exeter students were also involved in bringing the production to life: Lucas Ipkendanz (2020, Chemistry) contributed to the film crew, while Thomas Sheridan (2021, English) supported marketing efforts. The film also features an evocative score by Bella Simpson and Alessandro MacKinnon-Botti, with cinematography by Evan Bridges.
Originally supported by key figures from Privileged, including director Mike Hoffman and producer Andy Paterson, Breakwater has drawn attention for its ambition and emotional depth. The film screens at Vue Piccadilly on 23 and 24 June as part of the Raindance UK Features competition.
Exeter College congratulates Daniel and the whole team on such a fantastic achievement.
