Filmmakers clean up East Wittering beach for next film

“It was depressing to see how much plastic there was on what, at first glance, looks like an immaculate beach. But it just adds to our incentive to make this film, and continue our work in tackling modern day issues like waterside pollution at Silicon Gothic Films” - Joseph Archer, Co-founder - Silicon Gothic Films

Silicon Gothic is a new, independent film company. It was founded in 2022 by Itchenor filmmaker, Cathy Wippell, and the award-winning director, Joseph Archer.

Their next film, ‘Black Samphire’ is set to shoot in Itchenor and Chichester. It stars upcoming actress Ishtar Currie-Wilson, whose past credits include Lockwood and Co (Netflix) and the highly anticipated prequel to ‘The Omen’ (Twentieth Century Fox and Disney).

Last weekend, on the 19th of August, the core crew of Silicon Gothic’s next film ‘Black Samphire’, undertook a beach clean at East Wittering beach in order to fundraise for the film and Surfers Against Sewage.

During the clean-up, the team filled almost two full bags of rubbish, equating to about six kilos of plastic waste. The majority of the plastic waste found was made up of sailing waste, fishing gear and plastic food wrapping.

These discoveries served to validate and expand the team's incentive to make ‘Black Samphire’, which explores waterside pollution through an innovative folk-horror narrative.

The full crew will also clean London Southbank on the 3rd of September.

10% of all money raised from the crowdfunder will be donated to Surfers Against Sewage in a bid to continue the fight against waterside pollution.

The film is currently hiring a local crew, providing opportunities for young filmmakers in the area whilst reducing our carbon footprint in travel. Silicon Gothic is keen to hear from any local filmmakers who’d like to get involved!