Cinesister A.D. Cooper’s latest short film “Merry Christmas, Bill” screened privately in Dorset on the 9th of November, bringing to the screen one of four winners in the Film Expo South script competition for which the prize was production costs. The short won the Audience Choice Award voted on by the cast, crew and friends attending the event (over 200) . She was also script editor and co-producer.
A.D. Cooper’s other multi-award winning short film “Put Away” will be available on Yoreflix when the history-themed VOD site launches this month.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) and Ben Miles (Tetris) are joined by Omid Djalili (Road to Bethlehem) and rising star Lizzie Aaryn Stanton (Call The Midwife) to star in Cinesister Jo Southwell’s new horror film Horror ‘The Catch’ from Epic Pictures and Mermaid Pictures.
The Catch follows a ruthless culinary showdown as a brilliant but obsessive chef journeys to Cornwall in search of the rarest seafood of all — a mermaid. As obsession turns to madness, the chef learns that some legends are better left undiscovered.
Sara Gibbings (Welcome To Wrexham) is producing, with Epic Pictures introducing the project to buyers at AFM as its global sales rep.
Quote from Jo Southwell, Director: “I am delighted to be working with Jonathan, Ben and Omid on The Catch. Together their on screen presence will bring depth, nuance and emotive storytelling. It is also a pleasure to be able to welcome Lizzie to set as Nerida, the mermaid. I had the pleasure of working with Lizzie in 2023 ( ECHO ) and know she will bring something very special to the table!”
Cinesister Annabel Vine’s BBC funded TRUE LOVE AND WORMHOLES won BEST SHORT at Big Syn film festival, which is the largest sustainable film festival in the world. Part of the prize was to see some extracts of the film light up the screens in Piccadilly. The film will be out on BBC3 and iplayer in February.
Founded by Cinesister Rita Osei in 2018 to promote female excellence in film direction, the 7th Edition of the 225 Film Club Festival takes place on Friday 5 December at BFI Southbank.
This year’s screening programme includes films by Cinesisters Tara Aghdashloo (Bridge), Jen Lim (My Grief Isn’t Grief Enough), Naomi Wright (Bluff).
The Audience Award returns this year and is chosen exclusively by the audience in the cinema on the night. The 2025 Best Short UK and International awards jury chaired by Brenda Gilbert includes Nida Manzoor, Susan Simnett, Danielle Goff, Colin Laviola (7 Palms Entertainment), Cristián Jiménez and Sheila Nortley.
Cinesister Deva Palmier has recently signed with Sonia Wargacka at Powerhouse Talent Management! Deva’s debut feature BLUE, starring Rosie Allerhand and Gemma Jones (Rocketman) with songs by Shirley Henderson (I Swear), now streaming on Prime Video, established her signature style: visually poetic, emotionally raw, and rooted in performance. Deva’s currently focused on the development of two projects: 3 DEGREES, a psychological thriller, which follows a professional clutter-clearer whose buried trauma resurfaces with devastating consequences, and FINDING CLIVE, a romantic comedy about love, loss, and second chances, which she is developing for both film and television.
By joining Sonia at Powerhouse, Deva is stepping into a representation partnership that is deeply aligned with bold, meaningful storytelling – one that blends commercial savvy with heart.
Sonia Wargacka is a powerhouse in her own right. Based in Bristol, Sonia comes from HETV production background with credits inclusive of Sex Education, Wolf Hall, and more. Powerhouse Talent Management is her new venture intended to empower grassroots creatives – the ones who hustle, who dream big, who are ready to make noise.
www.thisispowerhouse.com
Cinesister Faye Jackson’s fantasy horror feature project LITTLE BIRD (producer Carley Armstrong) won “Most Promising Project” at the European Genre Forum pitching event at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. The €25 000 prize was awarded by Polish virtual production studio ATM Virtual.
Cinesister Fateme Ahmadi’s debut feature, Daughter of Eden, wrapped principal photography in Dublin in late October, and they are now in post in London. The film stars Yasmin Al Khudhairi, Hiam Abbass, Amir El Masry and Lindsay Duncan.
You can find more information in the Screen article here.
Cinesister Carolyn Sanders comedy short-form series A Fistful of Garlic Shoved Up The Patriarchy’s Vampire Ass, has been awarded production funding by Canada’s IPF (Independent Production Fund). Co-written and co-directed with her son, Sean Stevenson, it is based on their BAFTA Rocliffe winning pilot Hell’s Belles, and is the story of a mouthy medieval nun, determined to defy the patriarchy, who leads a disgruntled sisterhood in an audacious plot to bust out of the convent. They’ll be shooting 7 x 10 min episodes in the spring of 2026.
Cinesister Meneka Das (Actor/writer/Director) secures Indian Distribution with Platoon One for her remastered debut feature film, Little Box of Sweets. With talent from both UK and India, the award-winning film was shot on S16mm on locations in and around North India. After having had a small cinema release in the UK, 2008, the film finally gets its digital release in India this November 2025 to be followed by the UK & US in 2026. The film recently screened to sold out audiences at the prestigious NCPA (National Centre for Performing Arts in Mumbai) and The British Council in New Delhi with live music performances conducted by Oliver Nominated Andrew T Mackay. More live screenings to come across India 2026. You can view the trailer here. www.littleboxofsweets.com
