Hi, I’m Syd - a freelance writer/director and producer based in Kent, with over a decade of experience across scripted, documentary, and branded content. I’m a member of Directors UK and currently part of the BAFTA Connect programme for future creative leaders, following three years on the BFI Network x BAFTA Crew scheme.

My career has grown from early nightlife and digital content work to producing and directing award-winning shorts, independent features, and branded documentaries. My short films have screened at festivals including BFI Future Film, Aesthetica, Encounters, Leeds and LSFF, and been distributed by platforms like ShortsTV, Peccadillo Pictures, Omeleto, ALTER, and BBC Arts. As a producer, I co-produced the BAFTA-longlisted Gypsy’s Kiss, supported by Directors UK and ARRI Rental, starring Gemma Jones.

In the branded and factual space, I’ve delivered creative content for clients such as Amazon Launchpad, Hasbro UK, Growing Green, Confused.com, and multiple universities and local councils. I also produced the BBC/BFI docudrama Have We Met Before? for BBC Four and Peccadillo Pictures' Boys on Film series.

My debut feature documentary, Micropubs: The New Local, which I directed and co-developed, was released during the pandemic and is now streaming globally. My latest feature as a producer, Man Baby (2025), is a surreal debut comedy-horror starring Divian Ladwa. I’m also currently in post on a second documentary feature exploring Kent’s historic coastal cinemas.

I’m passionate about storytelling that blends humour, heart, and visual experimentation, and I’m especially drawn to stories rooted in community, character, and place.

1. Founder & Creative Director

   Squid Shack Studios · Jul 2023 - Present

   Co-founded and lead a Kent-based independent production company developing original scripted and factual content. Oversee creative direction, development, and packaging of feature documentaries, short films, and branded content, including Only in Cinemas (feature doc, post), Lovebirds (Screen South & Screen Ashford commissioned short film) and The Recovery Rooms (mini-series). Supported by Create South East and The Kent Foundation.

2. Academic Video Producer/Director

   Canterbury Christ Church University · Apr 2016 - Present

   Produced recruitment, and training videos for university departments, enhancing digital engagement across social media channels on themes such as student onboarding, mental health awareness, and staff training, collaborating with faculty to align with educational goals.

3. Film & TV Producer/Director

   Freelance · Jan 2014 - Present

   Freelance writer, director, and producer with a genre-blending portfolio that includes the award-winning short TEXTUAL RELATIONSHIP, which debuted at the BFI Future Film Festival and won Film of the Night at the prestigious Limelight Film Awards. Directed films like STICKS, winner of Best Comedy at Horsham Film Festival, and SODABIKES, now distributed by SHORTS TV in USA, Europe and Latin America. Contributed to independent feature films in various production roles and produced award-winning shorts screened at BAFTA, BIFA, and Oscar-qualifying festivals, including HAVE WE MET BEFORE? for BBC and BFI and GYPSY'S KISS (BAFTA longlisted 2018).

4. Content Producer/Director

   Freelance · Jan 2013 - Present

   Directed and produced branded, corporate, and promotional videos for a wide range of clients including NHS, Amazon Launchpad, Hasbro UK, Confused.com, Visit Maidstone, Growing Green, NIAB and Folkestone & Hythe District Council. Managed budgets ranging from £5K to £50K, overseeing cast and crew recruitment, scheduling, and risk assessments while aligning with clients’ creative visions and strategic goals. Collaborated across various genres and platforms to help brands tell authentic stories that resonate with their audiences.

5. Feature Producer

   Art Omnivores Ltd · Apr 2023 - Apr 2025

   Man Baby (2025) - Surreal debut comedy-horror about fatherhood anxiety, starring Divian Ladwa (Detectorists). Co-produced with Matte Black London. Due for release in 2025.

6. Director

   Arts Ed · Feb 2024 - Apr 2024

   Comedy-drama short made with ArtsEd. A man plans to come out as straight to his gay dads at their annual Eurovision party. Produced by Marnie Baxter.

7. Freelance Producer/Director

   The Kent Video Company · Mar 2022 - Jan 2024

   Delivered on-location shoots and cross-sector collaborators including branded content for Visit Maidstone, boosting local tourism; produced a 10-part digital series for Growing Green, promoting sustainability and net-zero goals; helped secure a £19.8M Levelling Up grant for Folkestone & Hythe District Council through promotional videos.

8. Producer

   Sibling Arts C.I.C · Feb 2022 - Jun 2022

   Johnny Barnes (2022) – LGBTQ+ hybrid storytelling short funded by Arts Council England, combining narrative, performance art, and music. Managed a multi-location shoot across London, Lowestoft, and Buckinghamshire, supporting a first-time director and performer. Selected for BAFTA-qualifying Encounters and Reelout Queer Film Festival.

9. Director/Producer

   Micro Short Films · Jun 2020 - Sep 2020

   Award-winning supernatural thriller starring Mandip Gill (Curfew, Doctor Who). Created by Bafta Crew members. Premiered at FrightFest and screened at LSFF, British Shorts Berlin and more.

10. Director/Producer

    Pixelform Studios · Jan 2019 - Dec 2020

    Sodabikes (2020) – Quirky adventure short set in Thamesmead and part-funded by Peabody, blending grief, absurdist comedy and sibling rivalry. Distributed by Shorts International; winner at Katonah Classic Stage Film Festival.

11. Documentary Producer/Director

    Pixelform Studios · Apr 2016 - Dec 2020

    Micropubs: The New Local (2020) - Multi-award winning feature documentary exploring the UK’s micropub movement and craft beer revolution. Screened internationally; now streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi and GuideDoc.

12. Producer

    Plimsoll Productions · Oct 2018 - Mar 2019

    Have We Met Before? (2019) – scripted LGBTQ+ docudrama short for BBC Four and BFI. Part of the “Born Digital” strand celebrating 30 years of the internet. Distributed by Peccadillo Pictures.

13. Producer

    The Smalls · Aug 2018 - Nov 2018

    Produced a national campaign for Hasbro UK’s Baby Alive children’s dolls, achieving over 1M YouTube views and 900K+ social impressions, while managing child licenses and a £30K budget.

14. Co-Producer

    E9th Productions · Feb 2017 - Jun 2017

    Gypsy’s Kiss (2017) – BAFTA-longlisted short starring Gemma Jones and Una Stubbs. One of six winning scripts of the Directors UK / ARRI Challenge Alexa scheme. Distributed by Omeleto.

15. Producer

    Gingenious · Mar 2017 - Jul 2017

    Produced Driving Stories, a 4-part digital series commissioned by Confused.com to support car insurance policies; shot on location with real world contributors and their quirky driving hobbies.

16. Assistant Producer

    Lost Eye Films Ltd · Apr 2015 - Apr 2016

    The Rizen / The Rizen: Possession - Sci-fi horror feature duology distributed in 2017 and 2019 by Uncork’d Entertainment. Supported production for both films featuring Sally Phillips, Adrian Edmondson and Bruce Payne.

17. Writer/Director & Producer

    Pixelform Studios · Apr 2014 - Apr 2015

    Textual Relationship (2015) - Award-winning romantic comedy short exploring the awkwardness of online dating through sharp dialogue and fourth-wall-breaking storytelling. Screened at BFI Future Film Festival, Winner of Best Comedy and Film of the Night award at Limelight Film Awards.

1. Coronavirus basic awareness on production training

   ScreenSkills Test · Apr 2021

   ScreenSkills Funded

2. Coronavirus basic awareness on production training

   ScreenSkills Test · Aug 2020

   ScreenSkills Funded

3. First Class with honours Film, Radio & Television

   Canterbury Christ Church University · Sep 2009 - May 2012