Graduate film maker calls for more female representation ahead of International Women’s Day
By: Communications
Frøydis Fossli Moe, has recently been featured in the New York Times along with her short film, The Final Chapter, which follows Frøydis’s journey a decade after cutting all ties with her parents due to a difficult upbringing, as she is forced to confront her past while her father lies on his deathbed.
UEA’s Social Media and Communications Intern, Jess caught up with Frøydis ahead of International Women’s Day 2025, to discuss her career since UEA, and the success of her recent films.
Q. Would you be able to introduce yourself?
My name is Frøydis, it is a very Norwegian name, and I’m a film director. I studied at UEA eight years ago, so a long time ago now. I was an Erasmus student, studied International Development studies and I absolutely loved it, —so much so that I even considered completing my entire BA there. In the years since UEA, I have made award winning short films and a feature film, and today I am studying Directing Fiction at National Film and Television School.
Q. Hard question, but could you sum up what International Women’s Day means to you?
International Women’s Day is about raising awareness of the incredible women around the world and amplifying their stories. It’s such an important day, and I believe it’s crucial to recognise the challenges women face in a patriarchal society. Through my work and this film, I want to remind people why our voices matter.
I work in a very male-dominated industry. I love making films and creating art, and I’m lucky to be surrounded by great people most of the time, but there still aren’t enough women in the film industry. I believe that’s largely because it’s so male-driven, making it difficult for young women to find space in such a competitive field.
I think it's really important that we as women support one another, especially within the arts. I felt that very much when I was studying at UEA, I felt like I was part of a strong, like-minded community.
Q. Speaking of UEA, did you enjoy your time studying with us?
I felt that my time at UEA really shaped me as a human being and I probably wouldn't have become a filmmaker and director if it wasn't for my time there.
It was amazing, I wanted to make the most of it, so I was in every society possible. I had such a big fun group, that every time I went to lunch, I struggled to fit everyone around the table. We were such a tight knit group, but everyone was studying different things. It felt very vibrant and such a kind community to be a part of.
The funny thing is that while I was at UEA, I didn’t study film. I had studied media in high school and kept making short films on the side, but I never saw myself becoming a film director. My plan was to continue with International Development—until one film I made at UEA grew too big for me to finish on my own.
Q. What film was that?
While at UEA, I made a film called Believe in Me, which serves as a prequel to The Final Chapter. It followed my life during my time at UEA, capturing my struggles with family issues while trying my best to be a good student and friend. I finished the film right after graduating and decided to submit it to various festivals—never expecting much.
To my surprise, it was chosen to be screened at multiple festivals, which felt surreal because I never thought anyone would relate to it. The charity Save the Children even selected it for screenings in different cities, and it ended up gaining a lot of attention. People started sharing their own personal stories with me, and I was completely unprepared for the overwhelming response.
Q. And how did that feel? For it to get so much attention?
Receiving recognition was great, but over time, I felt that the documentary no longer visually represented me. I transitioned into making fiction films, and the film belonged to my old life, not my new one. So, I left it untouched and didn’t think about it for a long time.
Then my dad got ill, and I didn’t know how to process it. I had always heard that film and art could be used to express emotions and make sense of difficult experiences. In a desperate attempt to understand my feelings, I started The Final Chapter. I wanted something to look back on, almost like a time capsule. I never imagined the film would do as well as it did.
If you compare the documentary, I made at UEA to The Final Chapter, they tell a continuous story, but they feel completely different. You can see that I’ve grown, my perspective has changed, and my taste has evolved.
Without the film I made at UEA, I would have never been able to make this one. It’s crazy to think that it all started with me just having fun, filming my adventures with friends while studying.
Q. And have you found your International Development degree has helped you with your career in film?
I think that everyone who does art should study International Development, obviously, because it is amazing. I think it's so important that if I'm going to try to portray or make films that different kinds of people or different stories is so important that I can understand the different perspectives. When I start a new project, I try to approach it like it was a thesis from school or something like that, because I think doing the research and actually portraying real communities is so important.
International Development is where my heart is. I want to tell stories about important issues—things that often go unspoken, the conversations people tend to avoid.
When it comes to film, I hope to see more women in the industry and greater representation, that’s something I truly believe in and want to be a part of.
I think the time I was studying at the UEA was probably the best time of my life, the community is so incredible, and I hope we extend that energy for International Women’s Day, let's listen and be there for one another, and let's celebrate.