Sleaford short film aiming to bring more art opportunities to rural Lincolnshire set to debut on Sunday

The 22-minute film brings together an all-Lincolnshire cast made up from students and young people who go to school in the Sleaford area and a community-driven production.

The professional crew from production company Maze Bound Films were supported by 11 local students undertaking hands-on work experience across the production.

Following its debut at Sleaford Playhouse on Sunday (March 29) at 3pm, Polar will also be screened at Greenwich Picturehouse in London on April 26, with further festival screenings planned later in the year.

The film follows the central character Zoe, who, in the wake of an untimely death in the family, feels shortchanged by life as the world around her turns increasingly grey. On her journey home from school on the final day of summer term, she begins to see that the world may not be as bleak as it first appears.

Professional writer and director Sam Roy, who graduated from St George’s Academy in Sleaford in 2017 where he was head boy, went on to study Media and Communications at Goldsmiths University in South East London. Upon graduating university in 2022, Sam co-founded Maze Bound Films with fellow filmmakers Caitlin Lee-Wilcox and Martha James.

Speaking about the project, Sam says: “Filmmaking has always been about collaboration for me, and when my old school approached me about taking on a work experience student in London, it made me reflect on how inaccessible the industry can feel.

“Instead of bringing one student down to set, I wanted to bring the entire process back to Sleaford and open it up to as many young people as possible. That’s how Polar really began.”

Polar is Maze Bound Films’ most ambitious project to date, with the short film requiring professional equipment, a large team and a £7,000 budget. The project was funded mostly through a community-led crowdfunding campaign. The cast and crew volunteered their time to bring the project to life.

Sam adds: “I don't want there to be any misconceptions - I really enjoyed my childhood in Sleaford and I'm immensely grateful for the support I was given as a young person growing up there. But access to the arts, and specifically to the media landscape, is and always has been limited for people in rural parts of the country. I saw Polar as a lovely opportunity to bring the industry to young people in Sleaford, instead of making young people come and find it. “I’m incredibly grateful to the school, the students, our crew and everyone who supported us along the way. I can’t wait to share the film with the community at its first screening, right where it was made.”

Around 100 people are expected to attend the premier. The final few tickets are available free of charge. To book a ticket, email: [email protected].

Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 12 not admitted. Parental discretion is advised.