268 - Paul Sng

Paul Sng is a bi-racial British Chinese filmmaker based in Edinburgh, Scotland whose work focuses on people who challenge the status quo. He has directed six feature documentaries, including Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliche (winner of BIFA 2021 Best Documentary, BIFA 2021 Raindance Discovery Award), Tish (Sheffield DocFest 2023 Opening Gala film) and Reality Is Not Enough (Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 Closing Gala film). Paul strives to make bold and creatively ambitious films that connect emotionally with audiences, working collaboratively with great teams to tell stories about outsiders and amplify rebellious voices. In 2022 he was named as a BAFTA Breakthrough Artist and directed Folding, his first short drama film, funded by Screen Scotland and BFI Network.In episode 268, Paul discusses, among other things:Growing up in London with a single mumHaving outsider syndrome… and imposter syndrome, and using that to your advantageHis educational history, including a couple of false startsMaking a feature as his first ever film with the ‘confidence of ignorance’The importance of finding a good Producer (and what their job involves)The important questions he asks himself in considering whether to make a filmStructure and working with an editorApplying the same narrative principles to documentary as are prevalent in fictionThe creative treatment of actualityFinding an audienceCurrently in production, Little WarriorReferenced:TrainspottingSymposium, PlatoBruce LeeJackie ChanDavid YipJohn WooWong Kar-WaiColin McArthurSleaford ModsNathan HannawinBruce RobinsonOrson WellesRebecca Mark-LawsonJennifer CorcoranMoonage DaydreamThe Atrocity Exhibition, JG BallardThe Man In The White SuitEmma ButtWebsite | IMDB page | InstagramEpisode sponsor:Aftershoot. Your complete AI workflow: Streamline photo culling, editing, and retouching so you can create stunning images, grow your business, and save 18+ hours every month. Try it completely free for a 30 day trial and get a 15% discount at checkout once you sign up with the code SMALLVOICEPOD. Become a A Small Voice podcast member here to access exclusive additional subscriber-only content and the full archive of 200+ previous episodes for £5 per month.Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here for everything A Small Voice related and much more besides.Follow me on Instagram here.Build Yourself a Squarespace Website video course here.