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SPOTLIGHT: CARMEN CAPUANO
- D.G. Torrens
- Nov 18
- 7 min read
AUTHOR
FILMMAKER
FESTIVAL
DIRECTOR
SCRIPTWRITER
BIO:
CARMEN CAPUANO:
A Creative Powerhouse. Carmen Capuano is a prolific and versatile storyteller whose creative reach spans literature, film, and festival direction. With numerous published works to her name, she has established herself as a celebrated author, captivating readers with narratives that are as thought-provoking as they are unforgettable. Beyond the written word, Carmen is a filmmaker and accomplished scriptwriter, bringing her unique vision to life on screen with bold originality and emotional resonance.
As co-director of the Birmingham Horror and Film Festival (BHHF), Carmen has carved out a space for daring voices in cinema, championing the genre and fostering a community of filmmakers and fans alike. She is also the driving force behind the Envisage International Film Festival, a platform dedicated to showcasing diverse talent and pushing the boundaries of independent filmmaking.
A formidable woman with an unstoppable energy, Carmen thrives on juggling multiple projects at once, each infused with her passion for storytelling and her commitment to elevating creative voices. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation makes her not only an inspiration to aspiring artists but also a force to be reckoned with in the creative industry.
Carmen Capuano is more than a creator—she is a visionary, a leader, and a trailblazer whose influence continues to shape the future of film and literature.
Q&A
DG Q: As a founding force behind the BHFF (Birmingham Horror Film Festival) a cinematic venture, can you take us behind the curtain. What inspired it’s genesis, what stories and visions graced its screens, and what VIP guests attended the festival of 2025?
CC: Horror is a huge genre, and covers many sub-genres both in film and in books. As co-directors of the film festival, both Gary Rogers and I wanted to celebrate that. Our tastes within the many varieties of horror are different but complement each other, so it was relatively easy for us to be aligned on what we wanted the festival to portray about horror, and from the fantastic reviews we’ve had, I think we accomplished that really well.
We screened a wide variety of films: everything from slasher movies to psychological, twisted horror. The only thing they all had in common was that they were of an incredibly high standard of filmmaking. We’d already decided that if we were showing it, it had to be something we were proud of.
And then there was the Horror Convention which ran alongside the film festival. We had traders of everything from life-like horror masks to horror themed jewellery. We had meet and greets with our celebrity guests, Danny John-Jules, Craig Dowsett (Winnie the Pooh, Blood and Honey) and Chi Lewis-
Parry (28 Years Later), as well as cosplayers re-enacting horror scenes and characters, and special effects make-up demos. It was an amazing extravaganza of horror. So if you missed it, look out for the 2026 event!
DG Q: Beyond your work with the BHFF, you're a driving force behind the Envisage International Film Festival, which champions science fiction and fantasy. Could you share more about its vision, the creative direction it's taking, and what exciting developments lie ahead?
CC: Envisage is having its debut at Millennium Point which I think says everything about its goals and ambitions. Science fiction is my thing and it’s a genre that I have written many books and films in, and of course there is often a cross-over with horror themes.
But Envisage’s debut is set to be very special for another reason too. We are giving screen time to our previous film festival nominees and winners in a special Celebration of Film. It’s a thank you to all the filmmakers who have supported us on our journey but it’s also so much more than that.
The sad reality is that many films don’t get a chance at life outside of the film festival circuit. They don’t get on TV and they don’t get picked up by streaming services. They literally do their rounds of the festivals and then they are done, vanquished to the metaphorical dusty shelf, there to lie forever forgotten. And I just think that’s awful.
If a film is good, it deserves to be seen, to have new, admiring eyes on it. So that’s part of what we are doing with Envisage: we are giving those great films a showcase, and I love that!
DG Q: As a judge for the BHFF Film Festival, you’ve got a front-row seat to some incredible storytelling. When you're evaluating a film, what qualities truly stand out to you and what makes a project rise above the rest?
CC: Gary and I have strict criteria that we set out for ourselves and our other judges to follow. We look in depth at every film that’s submitted and judge it on its qualities.
The thing I am most proud of is that we don’t pull our punches. We won’t show or nominate something just because we know the filmmakers involved personally, we are not swayed by friendships. I know this might sound harsh but we are putting our name to our nomination and winning choices and that’s something we both care deeply about.
Of course we recognise that some filmmakers might need a little directional push before they begin submitting to film festivals and that’s why we offer both Film Critiques and Script Critique services at https://filmmakersunitedcic.co.uk/services-we-provide.
A good film can be elevated to a great film but it often requires work and someone with the right perspective to know how and what to tweak. That’s where Gary and I come in. For a film to be truly great, the pacing, timing, acting, elements of suspense, all of these and more have to come together.
DG Q: As a celebrated author with a rich portfolio of published works, could you share your journey into the world of storytelling? What inspired the books you've written, and which one holds a special place in your heart?
CC: I have written 29 books to date, and published about half of them so far.
There is no one book or story that holds a special place in my heart. All my books are different, and I’m a multi-genre author, so I write sci-fi, family drama, chick-lit, literally everything, so I love each book for itself.
DG Q: You’re also an accomplished scriptwriter and screenwriter. Could you tell us more about your work in this space, how you got started, and what kind of stories you love to bring to life?
CC: I’ve always been a storyteller. I’m the person in a group who will always be making people laugh or gasp. But I’m also good at sitting back, listening to other people’s stories and internalising them. And empathy comes naturally to me, so it’s easy to translate tales into films and books that are both heart-rending and uplifting.
If you are not either crying or grinning at the end of one of my works, and sometimes both, then I’ve not done my job correctly.
DG Q: Your short film JUST JAMES was nominated for an RTS Award in 2024, such an incredible achievement. Could you share the story behind the film and what the nomination meant to you personally?
CC: To have something be nominated by the RTS was a huge validation. More so for me because to date all of my other films are stuck in Production Hell and have yet to be completed, so effectively this mean that Just James was the first thing I’ve ever had made. Carmen Capuano - IMDb
So for it to be nominated by the prestigious RTS was HUGE. Coupled with the fact that the eventual winner came from an extensive and well-established team, the fact that JJ came from a tiny team made it even more incredible.
DG Q: Reflecting on your rich journey across books, film, and television, what would you say is the most profound lesson you've learned along the way?
CC: That people are shy about coming forward to tell you how much they love your work. It’s weird but true that in this country we quickly complain if something does not live up to our expectations but often fail to give praise when it does.
DG Q: Who were the pivotal figures or moments that sparked your creative journey, and what influences have most profoundly shaped your artistic direction?
CC: You’d never know it to look at me but I had the toughest of childhoods. I think most of what I experienced in life to date filters through to my writing.
DG Q: With so many talents and projects in motion, how do you stay on top of it all, and what’s your go-to way to unwind and recharge?
CC: Luckily I’m really good at prioritising. But when it comes to relaxation I like to spend time with animals and to watch a good film.
Sadly I no longer have a pet so I have to borrow pet time from friends.
DG Q :Thinking back to your early years, in what ways do you feel they shaped the strong, dynamic person you are today?
CC: I had a difficult childhood but it made me resilient and self-reliant.
DG Q: Is there a lesser-known facet of your life or personality that you’d be willing to reveal, something fans might be surprised to learn?"
CC: I think most people who know me already know that my profits go towards helping animal charities but I bet many don’t know that I much prefer the company of animals to humans.
DG Q: If you could offer one brutally, raw and unfiltered, honest piece of advice to emerging artists walking the same path, what would it be?
CC: Take a deep breath and be your authentic self.
DG Q: Let’s finish strong: what’s one quote that hits you right in the soul and says, “This is me”?
CC: The tagline for the novel The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons: In saving them, he’ll save himself. That tagline could be describing me.
Grandiose as it may sound, I know I’m on a mission.
LINKS:
Facebook: Facebook
Envisage: Envisage International Film Festival - Sci-Fi & Fantasy | EnvisageInternationalfilmfestival.co.uk
Filmmakers United: https://filmmakersunitedcic.co.uk/services-we-provide
YouTube Interview with Carmen Capuano with Shout Radio
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