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JO SOUTHWELL – FEATURE

Updated: May 11


THE CATCH

Directed by JO SOUTHWELL

Writers: Emily Barr, Craig Barr-Green

Starring : Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ben Miles, Omid Djalili, with Lizzie Aaryn-Stanton

The Catch is an elevated horror in which a ruined celebrity chef travels to Cornwall in search of a mythical delicacy, only for his obsession with the rarest catch to spiral into a terrifying confrontation with a community of vengeful mermaids.

In a new exclusive interview on Horror Valentines, Ella spoke with Director Jo Southwell about The Catch, currently in pre-production with sales agent Reinvent Yellow.

Jo, your work spans high-end television including Call the Midwife, alongside shadow directing on Killing Eve and Trigger Point, giving you a strong foundation in character-led storytelling at scale.

With The Catch now moving into the elevated horror space, what is the core focus or mission behind your current work, and what are you hoping to contribute to the wider genre landscape?

At Mermaid Pictures, our slate across film and television is driven by a clear intention: to interrogate societal systems - whether that’s our relationship with the environment, technology, structures of authority, female career pathways, or the ways we communicate, each project explores these themes through a distinctly female lens.

What feels important is not just what we are saying, but how we are saying it. We are committed to bringing forward perspectives and characters that haven’t traditionally been centred on screen—stories that feel both urgent and cinematic. This translates onto our set - the way we work as a production company is as important as the stories we create - inclusive, diverse, supportive, impactful - creative.

Our upcoming feature, The Catch, sits within the elevated horror space, using mythology as a vehicle to explore environmental tension and human consequence. By reimagining mermaid folklore through a contemporary lens, we’re aiming to contribute to a more sophisticated, thematically rich evolution of the genre.


There’s a clear thread in your work of building expansive worlds while keeping them emotionally grounded and human.

What continues to drive you creatively, and why does this work matter to you personally?

As a kid of the 80's - I’ve always been drawn to filmmakers who create worlds and stories that feel expansive and ambitious, yet remain grounded in something emotionally truthful and relatable. My work is driven by a desire to push boundaries in how we realise those worlds—whether through innovative techniques, visual language, or the integration of new technologies—while always serving the story at its core. It’s about elevating what’s on the page into something immersive and resonant for global audiences through a female lens.

There’s a real sense of possibility in that process. The idea that you can build something entirely new, yet still speak directly to the world we’re living in.

What’s not to love about my job!


Genre has always had iconic female characters, but we’re now seeing a shift where women are increasingly shaping the narratives themselves—not just appearing within them.

From your perspective, what is the role of women in genre today, and where do you see the most meaningful change happening?

On screen, genre films already has iconic heroines like Sigourney Weaver and Linda Hamilton who redefined the role of women with their power, intelligence and strength. Excitingly now - we are seeing a change in authorship.

Women are contributing to the narratives, the worlds, and the perspective through which genre stories are told. As a director, I’m interested in contributing to that shift by creating modern myths through films that create new fantasy landscapes while remaining emotionally direct and thematically grounded. Work that invites audiences in, but also challenges them to reflect more deeply on the world around them.


With The Catch currently in pre-production and entering the international space through Cannes, this feels like a key moment in its journey.

What does participating in this Cannes genre platform mean for your work, and what are you hoping it helps unlock or amplify?

Being part of the Women in Genre platform at Cannes is both a recognition and a catalyst. It places my work within a wider international conversation about where genre is heading and who is shaping its future.

For The Catch and Mermaid Pictures, it offers a meaningful springboard—an opportunity to connect with collaborators, partners, and audiences who are aligned with that vision.

More than anything, I see it as a space to build momentum: to amplify the work, to deepen creative relationships, and to open the door to the next phase of storytelling on a global scale.

PANEL FEATURE

Jo Southwell will be joining the Women in Genre panel at the Marché du Film, Cannes Film Festival 2026.

Women in Genre: Shaping Careers, Opening Doors & Building Power

Presented by Yes She Cannes & Fantastic Pavilion in partnership with Etheria Film Festival and Wench Film Festival

MAY 16TH | 3:30 – 4:30 PM | PALAIS STAGE, MARCHÉ DU FILM

Open to all accredited attendees

Free entry | See Marché du Film Conference Schedule for details

ABOUT THE INTERVIEWER



Ella is the founder of Horror Valentines, a platform dedicated to celebrating and amplifying voices within the horror and genre space. Through interviews, features, and curated content, her work highlights emerging and established filmmakers while exploring the evolving landscape of genre storytelling. She’s also an award-winning screenwriter, with her feature film “Revolution X” currently streaming on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.


Post created by Isabella Bonfante. Follow Isabella: @isabellabonfante )

Yes She Cannes is a global platform dedicated to elevating women in film through visibility, connection and access - creating meaningful opportunities at Cannes and beyond. Follow along: @yesshecannes

 
 
 

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