THE HOLD (Trailer)

Currently Screening in Festivals



A short-doc about free-diving world champion and 10x national record holder Alice Hickson. The film goes on a visual journey through her story and psychology over the course of her 7min30 record breath hold.

CREDITS: 
Featuring - Alice Hickson, Nara Ishikawa
Young Alice - Lola Hickson
Richard - Jack Hickson
Directed/Produced by JD Donnelly
Director of Photography - Jack Worrall
Underwater Cinematography by James Adair
1st AC - Giorgi Young
Sound Recordist - Julia Martin
Editor - Ben Cowan
Music - Matt Valentine
Sound Designer - Tennyson Whyte
VFX by AJ Moger
Graphic Design by Bex Pannett

RECOGNITION

2025 Aesthetica SFF - WINNER (Best of Festival)
2025 Aesthetica SFF - WINNER (Best Documentary)
2025 Kino London SFF - WINNER (Best Editing, Ben Cowan)
2024 British Short Film Awards - NOMINEE (Best Documentary)
2024 Cornwall Film Festival - NOMINEE (Best of the West) 

2025 Kendal Mountain Film Festival - Official Selection
2025 Ghent Viewpoint Doc Festival - Official Selection
2025 Sunderland Shorts FF - Official Selection
2025 Brighton Rocks FF - Official Selection
2025 Crystal Palace IFF - Official Selection
2025 Manchester IFF - Official Selection
2025 British Shorts Berlin - Official Selection
2025 Poppy Jasper IFF - Official Selection
2024 British Short Film Awards - Nominee