LS Productions Launches Original Content Film Making Arm

LS Films began its journey in 2021 with Folding, a short drama film funded by Screen Scotland and BFI NETWORK that was recently selected for the Berlin British Shorts festival. A short documentary, Little Warrior, was commissioned by Guardian Documentaries and will be released later in 2022. Both projects demonstrate the company’s commitment to inclusivity both on and offscreen, with more than fifty percent of cast and crew coming from groups underrepresented in the film and TV industry.

Future projects in development include a documentary feature about cultural icon Irvine Welsh, a music and travelogue series with Huey Morgan of Fun Lovin’ Criminals and BBC Radio 6 fame, and a documentary about Venezuelan boxer Johana Gomez and her journey to escape poverty in her homeland and pursue her ambition to become an Olympic champion and sign her first professional boxing contract in Scotland. 

Founded in 2006 by Marie Owen, the company now works out of Edinburgh, Manchester and London across film and TV, commercials, fashion, music and sports campaigns. This year they’re set for a new phase of growth, which reflects their commitment to being inclusive on screen and behind the camera.

MD Sarah Drummond, a BAFTA award winning filmmaker, heralds the move as a bold but entirely natural step for the company.

“As a filmmaker prior to building up the commercials side of the business, I always had a desire to tell stories. The pandemic gave us a chance to reflect and we decided it was the right time to add on our own creative output. Given the skills across the team, this feels like a seamless move for us.” 

Joining their new team is Paul Sng, a 2021 BIFA award winning director for the acclaimed feature documentary Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché. And an organic fit according to Sarah.

“His passion and drive to fight for inclusivity, fairness and diversity, all align with LS's culture and values. Like us, Paul wants to tell untold, diverse and extraordinary stories and make people feel something. It's early days in this journey, but we're blown away by the response so far with the breadth of partnerships.”

For Paul the opportunity LS Films presents was clear. 

”LS Films presents a great opportunity to work alongside people with a shared desire to tell stories on screen that amplify unheard voices. We are also committed to working with both established and emerging new talent from underrepresented backgrounds across race, class, gender and ability. We want to tell untold, diverse and extraordinary stories across drama and documentary, which evoke a response and echo Nina Simone's belief that 'an artist's duty is to reflect the times'.

For CEO, Marie Owen, taking this next step is all part of their philosophy of challenging the status quo.

“I’m excited by the impact it will have, not only on our existing business and our team but by the opportunities it also brings for the industry. We want to open previously closed doors to a wider range of people from all backgrounds and amplify the voices of those who may struggle to be heard without our support and input.”