Show Up and Start: The Art and Life of Dorothy Ramsay

Film Festivals: RS FilmFest 2024 (FINALIST), Latitude Film Awards (Documentary Feature BRONZE WINNER, October 2024) New York Film and Actor Awards 2024 (SHORTLIST), Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival (HONOURABLE MENTION), Paris International Short Festival (SEMI-FINALIST), Edinburgh Film Awards (SEMI-FINALIST)

“Dorothy Ramsay's wit, charm and talent certainly shined through in a well deserved documentary about her life!” - Dances With Films: NYC

Directed by Neil Emery, “Show Up and Start” is a 47-minute documentary that offers a touching and intimate look at Ramsay, a Lake District-based artist. Emery, known for his YouTube videos about walking in the Lake District, brings Ramsay’s artistic journey to the screen. The film traces her postwar childhood in northeast England, her education at the renowned Camberwell School of Art in London, and her diverse experiences as a weaver, therapist, and full-time artist.

The documentary’s title, “Show Up and Start,” encapsulates Ramsay’s belief that persistence and consistency are essential to the creative process. Her life and work serve as a testament to the power of showing up and engaging with one’s craft, even when inspiration feels elusive.

Neil Emery’s directorial approach, honed through his work capturing the natural beauty of the Lake District, provides a visually stunning backdrop to Ramsay’s story, immersing viewers in her artistic process. Emery's passion for the region shines through in both his YouTube content and this thoughtful documentary.

Complementing the visual storytelling is the evocative sound and music of Shelley Roden, an award-winning foley artist at Skywalker Sound, and Jeffrey Roden, a celebrated US composer. Their work elevates the emotional tone of Ramsay’s journey, enhancing the documentary’s intimate and reflective atmosphere.