With us this episode are filmmaker Janis Pugh & actor, director & writer Tilda Cobham-Hervey - just two of the brilliant women showcased at the Edinburgh Festivals 2023. Anna Smith also gives top tips of other female-led highlights of the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, Edinburgh International Book Festival, and - of course - Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Our first guest is Janis Pugh, writer/director of Chuck Chuck Baby which will receive its World Premiere at Edinburgh International Film Festival on 20th August. The feature is a musical comedy drama that celebrates female working class friendship and love in Wales. Helen, played by Louise Brealey (Sherlock, Smack the Pony) is stuck packing chickens by night and by day cares for a dying mother figure. Her life takes an unexpected turn with the return of Joanne, played by Annabel Scholey (Being Human, Walking on Sunshine). Janis Pugh joins Anna for a lively chat about her personal experiences of working in a chicken factory in Wales, and talks about the camaraderie she saw that inspired the film. She also explains why love is at the heart of the film, and talks about the fragile male character of Gary, played by Celyn Jones.

We also chat with actor, director & writer Tilda Cobham-Hervey who, as well as working in film and TV, also works in live art and is bringing her intimate audio adventure Two Strangers Walk Into A Bar… to the Fringe. Tilda chats about her journey to making the production, and her love of immersive live experience, as well as the effects that the piece has on the two-strong audience. Anna Smith will be sharing her reaction to the piece as she updates live from the festivals, so stay tuned on the socials below.

Find out more about Edinburgh Festivals and book tickets at www.edinburghfestivalcity.com/

Chuck Chuck Baby will have its World Premiere on 20th August, follow Girls On Film for info on its wider release https://www.eif.co.uk/events/eiff-chuck-chuck-baby

Two Strangers Walk Into A Bar… is playing at House of Oz from 4th to 27th August https://www.houseofoz.co.uk/2023/two-strangers

Anoushka Shankar will be appearing in Edinburgh International Festival on 27th August https://www.eif.co.uk/events/anoushka-shankar

Festival highlights:

Edinburgh International Film Festival - details at www.eif.co.uk/edinburgh-international-film-festivalYour Fat Friend, Jeanie FinlayPast Lives, Celine SongShowing Up, Kelly Reichardt Scrapper, Charlotte ReganIs There Anybody Out There?, Ella GlendininingThe Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Hope Dickson Leach

Edinburgh International Book Festival - at www.edbookfest.co.ukWhat I Run Towards Will Strengthen Me, Sarah Polley

Edinburgh Festival Fringe - all at https://tickets.edfringe.com/Work in Progress, Rose MatafeoComposition, Leila NavabiDugzi Dayz, Sabrina AliUnforgettable Girl, Elisabeth GunawanMEAT, Elle Dillon-Reams

Other films mentioned in this episode include: House, Janis Pugh52 Tuesdays, Sophie Hyde, 2013

Other TV mentioned in this episode include: The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, Glendyn Ivin, 2023

Other theatre mentioned in this episode includes: Funeral, Ontroerend Goed (tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/funeral)

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Host: Anna SmithExecutive Producer: Hedda ArchboldProducer: Lydia ScottAudio Producer: Emma ButtAssistant Producer: Eleanor HardyHouse band: MX TyrantsThis episode is in partnership with Festivals Edinburgh