Crosshairs

2021 HollyShorts Screenplay Competition Winner
2022 Hollyshorts Official Selection
2023 Manchester Film Festival Official Selection
2023 BUFF Malmo Film Festival Official Selection
2023 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival Official Selection

Crosshairs is a short film about coming-of-age and loss of innocence. Written by Nick Nessling-Jessup and directed by Coral Amiga, it is based on a true story. Crosshairs tells the story of two boys, on the verge of sexual awakening, who set off into the deep, remote countryside of Norfolk to fire off an air rifle they have stolen from one of their older brother’s. Harvey is a quiet, introverted boy who holds his friend Danny in the highest regard. He is in total awe of him. However, Danny is oblivious. He is the opposite of his friend brimming with self-confidence and challenging the line between fun and danger. Together, they while away the long summer day trading gross out stories and bonding over their shared boredom. Just as the connection between them reaches its peak, something happens which irreparably damages their blossoming relationship.

Bug

Written and Directed by The Doncho Sisters, and produced by Nick-Nessling-Jessup for 20th Digital Studio Bug is inspired by a true story. In Japan a parents’ worst nightmare was realised when after misbehaving on a road trip they kicked their child out of the car as a punishment and on a quick return discovered he’d disappeared. Bug is a psychological horror that explores the challenges of being a single parent, societal pressures on motherhood and the fear of being a ‘bad’ parent. Bug is available to watch in North America on Hulu and premiered as part of the 2022 Bite Size Horror programme.

One Track Minds

One Track Minds Anthology

Having told a story about the song that changed his life at the incredible Wilton’s Music Hall, Nick’s story was selected as one of the twenty five contributors for the One Track Minds book; the first anthology collection edited by Kristian Brodie and Adam Shakinovsky. Featuring pieces from Peter Tatchell, Inua Ellams and Cash Carraway the book compiles many of the standout stories from the live show. Just as rich and varied are the songs themselves, by artists ranging from Nina Simone and Joni Mitchell to Aphex Twin and the Replacements via Tupac, Prince and the Spice Girls.

Copies of the book are available at Waterstones and via Bookshop.org