“If you go looking for monsters…you’ll find them” 

Foxhollow is the brilliant debut feature film from Tom Hughes of Ritual Video. Tom has directed, written, edited and starred in Foxhollow and this genuinely tense and scary found footage movie had me making little whimpers of fear!

Set in the South Wales Valleys, Foxhollow follows Tom, a struggling filmmaker that is hired to make a nature documentary by a local eccentric. But once the pair get deep into the woods, their film devolves into a desperate fight for survival. Found footage will always be scary to me, because I forget I’m watching a film. I watch a lot of vlogs, so my brain naturally goes into “let’s watch a nice vlog” mode. Add in the fact that I’m from the valleys and the accents made me feel right at home, and I’m totally immersed and scared for Tom’s survival. Even though he was playing a character and I’ve spoken to him since!

Tom Hughes

Tom does a brilliant job playing “himself” and Paul Black as Trapper Harding is an intimidating presence. Sarah-Louise Tyler and Andrew Lennon both give solid supporting roles, as the Foxhollow park ranger and investigator. Each character felt natural, with relatable dialogue and decisions made – which doesn’t often happen in found footage movies! A character who is skeptical from the off is a breath of fresh, non-infuriating air.

Shot on GoPros and a vlogging camera, the footage is believable and it doesn’t have that “shot on a good camera and made to look shitty in post” feeling. The whole film feels plausible and like fuck am I ever going into the woods in South Wales! It’s real, it’s relatable and it’s made with love and a DIY, punk rock attitude.

Paul Black

Tom’s shorts and music videos are also brilliant and if Foxhollow is anything to go by, Tom has a very bright future in film. 

Foxhollow will be released on Halloween and Tom is currently crowd-funding for a physical release. If you’d like to support indie cinema and get yourself a cool AF limited edition DVD to boot, visit Foxhollow on Indiegogo. I’ve backed the crowfunder myself and can’t wait to get my hands on the DVD!

Tom is also planning a screening for local horror fans and cast and crew. Follow Ritual Video on Instagram for updates!