KIRSTY ROBINSON-WARD

Kirsty’s commitment to the actor relationship shines through her work. Her ability to listen to the script and facilitate the actors’ needs allows the development of beautiful character performances. Over the years Kirsty has been selected for the prestigious BBC Directors Scheme, the Directors UK Inspire mentorship with mentor Kate Herron (Loki, Sex Education) and Working Title’s Action Internship. She’s been shortlisted for the BBC Writersroom and began her career in the National Youth Theatre. Her lifelong dedication to storytelling has carved her into a unique writer / director with an exciting energy and compelling vision. Kirsty most recently directed Just in Case starring Philip Glenister and April Kelley, made in collaboration with Bipolar UK and the Film + TV Charity. It received a Raising Films Ribbon which supports parents and carers within the industry and was the first production to use the Film + TV Charity’s Mental Health Toolkit. Kirsty has directed BBC’s popular continuing drama Doctors, feature film Tea + Cake, short film Canned (starring BAFTA-winner Georgina Campbell and BAFTA Breakthrough Brit Paapa Essiedu) which screened at the BFI as part of their Girlfriends Festival and was nominated for Best Screenplay at the BAFTA-qualifying Underwire Film Festival. A comedy sketch she created last year went viral with 7 million views. She has also been commissioned to write a feature film which she is currently working on. ​ Kirsty is dedicated to creating stories, exploring voices and issues rarely shown on screen. She hopes to continue making work which connects with many as she sensitively balances the dark and the light within it.

APRIL KELLEY

April is an award-winning actor, writer, and BIFA nominated producer known for her creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Showcasing her savviness, she founded Mini Productions at the age of 21, whilst still in drama school, she then met Sara Huxley and as they say, the rest was history. As a writer, April has been acclaimed for her raw, honest, and relatable work. Her debut film, Treacle, which she also starred in and produced in collaboration with the Bisexual Resource Centre, premiered at BFI Flare in 2019. That same year, she was selected as one of the six queer filmmakers for the BFI Network & BAFTA at Flare Mentorship, highlighting her talent and potential. Treacle went on to screen at over 70 festivals worldwide, winning numerous awards including Best Women in Film at Bolton Film Festival. In 2021, April wrote and premiered her film Just in Case at the BAFTA-qualifying Norwich Film Festival, which, amongst others, went on to win the Audience Award at the Mental Health Rights Film Festival led by the Lisbon Institute of Global Mental Health. In 2022, she premiered her third film, Do This for Me, at BFI Flare, which most recently has won the Best International Film award at the South Dakota Film Festival, solidifying her reputation as a distinguished filmmaker. She has now developed the trilogy of films into a TV series, which in 2023 won ‘Crip Script Pitch’ at ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York. She’s been awarded industry engagement/mentorship with AMC Networks. Previously, she spent four years as a part of the BFI London Film Festival team, where she produced red carpet content, interviews, and social media coverage. Beyond her accomplishments in the entertainment industry, April is known for her active advocacy work. She serves as a vocal ambassador for Bipolar UK, actively promoting mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights. Based in both LA and London, her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact through her work has earned her admiration and respect.

MINI PRODUCTIONS

At Mini Productions, we believe that the impact of a story is not determined by its size, but by its ability to inspire change. Our mission is to produce meaningful, thought-provoking films and TV shows that empower underrepresented communities and shed light on important topics. By amplifying the voices of those who need to be heard, we strive to create a more inclusive and empathetic world. We take pride in our personalised approach to filmmaking and building strong relationships with talent, both in front and behind the camera. Our commitment to creating compelling content and showcasing the stories of our filmmakers in powerful ways, distinguishes us from others in the industry. Mini is the new mighty, and at Mini Productions, we believe in the power of small stories to create a big impact. Mini Productions is a multi award-winning production company founded in 2012 and co-owned by dynamic duo April Kelley and Sara Huxley. They have been producing shorts, features, charity films, commercials, branded content, virals and music videos for many years and now have a slate of features and TV in development. The Minis achieved great success with their debut feature film Rose: A Love Story which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival and was nominated for the Raindance Discovery Award at the 2020 BIFAs. Written by and starring Matt Stokoe, plus co-stars Sophie Rundle, and Olive Gray, it has gone on to screen at Melbourne International Film Festival, Sitges Film Festival, and Trieste Science+Fiction Festival. Their BIFA and BAFTA long-listed short film Edith was the directorial debut for actor Christian Cooke and starred BAFTA winner Peter Mullan. In January 2022, they went on to shoot Christian’s debut feature film Embers starring Ruth Bradley, David Wilmot, and Clare Perkins. The film is adapted from the critically acclaimed play ‘Experience’ written by David Florez, which had a successful run at Hampstead Theatre. The film was recently selected as 1 of 9 for the BFI London Film Festival 2022 ‘Work-In-Progress’ showcase. It premiered at Raindance Film Festival where it was nominated for Best UK Film. Embers marks another step forward in the company’s successful track record of producing critically acclaimed and award-winning content. With an impressive portfolio of projects under their belt, Mini Productions is at the forefront of independent production companies in the UK. Their short films have been programmed at worldwide festivals, including; BFI London Film Festival, BFI Flare, Norwich Film Festival, HollyShorts, Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, St. Louis International Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, and Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival. Awards include Best Women in Film at the Bolton Film Festival, and Women and Hollywood’s First Time Female Filmmaker Award.

“From the age of 15, I knew that I was feeling and thinking differently from others. After years of misdiagnosis and being prescribed the wrong medication, it wasn’t until March 2018 at the age of 27 I was diagnosed with bipolar and so almost overnight, a huge weight was lifted and loaded. I spent the following year educating myself as did the loved ones around me. When I was younger and wasn’t doing well my Dad would take me to service stations (rest stops) and we would have a cup of tea. He’d take me there because he knew that a service station was never anyone’s destination so I wouldn’t bump into anyone I knew, nor would people stare as they were too busy peeing, eating or filling up the car. I was safe. Over a decade later when I was finally formally diagnosed with bipolar, I told my Dad, and the first thing he said before anything else was ‘I always knew there was a spark of genius in you’. I want this film to not only create awareness but I want it to open a door for more guilt-free, non-judgmental conversations around those living with a condition that can make you wake up and think ‘crap, I’ve gotta do this all over again’ every day. It sounds heavy because it is heavy but it shouldn’t be dismissed simply because it’s uncomfortable to hear. And, of course, there’s always humour to be found in the tragic… cue my Dad.”

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