Interview with Freddie Gollins — Writer and Director of Bleaching
In his moving short film Bleaching, Welsh filmmaker Freddie turns his lens toward one of life’s most delicate relationships — that between a father and son. The story, intimate yet quietly expansive, explores how people cope when their personal worlds begin to shift around them. “The film isn’t about the changing world,” Freddie says, “but rather their changing worlds.”
The idea for Bleaching emerged from a deeply personal moment. Freddie’s brother, Will, was going through a difficult breakup while living in Australia. During a FaceTime call, Freddie suggested they create something together as a way to channel that energy. “We both went away to think of ideas and eventually landed on mine,” he recalls. “Will has a background in project management, so he naturally took on the producer role — handling logistics, locations, and props — while I focused on the creative side: the script, crew, and visual feel.”
After months of planning, Will returned to the UK, and the pair began filming in North Wales — a setting that played a vital role in shaping the film’s atmosphere. One standout location was Cambrian Photography in Colwyn Bay, discovered by Will. “They were so brilliant in accommodating us,” Freddie says gratefully. “The space was perfect for what we needed and they encouraged us to film right there in their shop.”
For Freddie, Wales is more than just a backdrop — it’s the emotional compass of his storytelling. “This film is all about the quiet moments in between life,” he reflects. “I draw so much inspiration from being in Wales — fishing in Llyn Brenig, walking in Snowdonia, or looking across the River Dee. Those moments of pause and peace give a kind of authenticity that’s impossible to fake.”
That authenticity extends to the film’s emotional message. Bleaching invites viewers to slow down and appreciate the ordinary, fleeting moments that make life meaningful. “Whether it’s doing something you love or being with someone you love, take the time and take it all in,” Freddie says. “Things change quickly.”
But bringing that simplicity to the screen came with complex challenges. The project was entirely self-funded, requiring creative resourcefulness at every turn. “We had to make every pound stretch,” he admits. “Crew members stayed at our parents’ house, we bought props and costumes from charity shops, then resold them after filming to recover costs.” Despite the limitations, Freddie fondly remembers the production’s spirit: “We’d all gather for dinner together in the evenings. It was collaborative and full of heart.”
That heart was shared by a small but passionate crew — cinematographer Evan Bridges, 1st AC Curtis Tyson, 2nd AC Xavier Sonski, boom operator Gabriel Miron, editor Luke Turner, and colourist Jonathan Tam. “Compact but mighty,” Freddie calls them.
When asked whether Bleaching carries a distinctly Welsh identity or something broader, Freddie doesn’t hesitate: “I wanted the themes to feel universal, but I also wanted authenticity — and that authenticity comes from a Welsh town. It’s a kind of truth you can only capture here.”
With Bleaching, Freddie delivers a tender and visually grounded portrait of change, love, and quiet resilience — a film that feels both deeply personal and unmistakably Welsh.
(Freddie and his crew)
#MADE-IN-WALES is part of FFilmic’s ongoing series celebrating emerging voices from Wales — spotlighting the filmmakers, stories, and creative visions shaping the nation’s cinematic future.