Matthew Wood on FARMING ON THE EDGE, Stewardship, and Learning Through Festivals | NFF2025

 

In this episode of The Official Selection Podcast x Norwich Film Festival 2025, we speak with Matthew Wood, director of the short documentary FARMING ON THE EDGE, around its screening at Norwich Film Festival.

The conversation also explores Matthew’s wider approach to documentary filmmaking, learning by spending time with people rather than shaping them to a preconceived narrative, and how film festivals function as spaces for education, connection, and creative renewal. He reflects on festival strategy, the value of deeply involved festival teams, and why pitching events and industry days can be just as important as screenings. Recorded during NFF 2025, this conversation offers a grounded look at how documentary filmmakers experience short film festivals and what it means to bring socially and environmentally focused stories to the screen.

About the series: 

The Official Selection Podcast x NFF 2025 brings together selected filmmakers during the festival for informal conversations about their films, the festival experience, and the realities of independent filmmaking.