Lancaster-made film starring Game of Thrones and Call the Midwife actors to be screened in city

A short film shot at Lancaster's historic Grand Theatre starring more than 160 local people and actors from popular TV shows will have its preview screening in the city.

The Premiere, which was filmed at the theatre with more than 160 local film extras, crew and Lancaster acting alumni, will be shown at The Dukes on Saturday October 3.

The 14-minute drama starred former Lancaster University students Roger Ashton-Griffiths and Nicola Harrison.

Its screening will be followed by a Q&A with the cast and directors, before beginning its run at international film festivals.

Game of Thrones, Gangs of New York and Brazil actor Ashton-Griffiths, veteran of more than 100 films and television productions, returned to his alma mater to take the lead role.

"An important and timely film, The Premiere is a reflection on the consequences of the misuse of power, both for the abuser and the abused. We can't let them escape: we must shine that light," he said.

“It's also a vivid demonstration of the importance of the creative arts within Higher Education, and their undoubted strengths at Lancaster University, where my own career path began."

Roger Ashton-Griffiths

More than 60 percent of the crew were Lancaster University film students and recent graduates, working alongside industry professionals. 

"It's incredible to see our graduates coming back to Lancaster to create something together," said Maryam Ghorbankarimi, the film’s editor, producer and Lancaster University lecturer.

"This demonstrates the strength of Lancaster's creative community and the university's impact on the film industry."

Nicola Harrison, a Lancaster University graduate known for Call the Midwife, Casualty, The Impossible and Marrowbone, plays opposite Roger.

"This film has such an important message," she said.

"It's not about retribution, it's about being heard and not carrying the burden of abuse in silence."

The film was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Lancaster Grand Theatre.

When The Premiere was still only a script and an idea, the Grand's trustees read it, decided it was a story that should be told, and handed over their Grade II listed auditorium - one of the oldest working theatres in the country - free of charge for two full days of filming.

"Without the Grand, there would be no film," said writer-director Enni Red.

"They were the first people to believe in it. The trustees read the script, understood why it mattered, and gave us their theatre. 90 percent of the film we shot there. Every frame indoors is their generosity on screen."

More than 180 supporting artists from Lancaster and the surrounding area volunteered for the shoot, which saw them fill the seats of the Lancaster Grand Theatre last summer.

This short film is about a celebrated British director, who returns to his hometown for the screening of his latest work.

What begins as a triumphant homecoming, full of red-carpet glamour and audience adoration, takes an unexpected turn during the post-screening Q&A, as past and present collide, and long-buried secrets threaten to unravel a carefully constructed reputation.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with writer-directors Enni Red and Darren Henderson, and both lead actors, who are travelling from London for the event.

Darren and Anna Henderson from The Bay International Film Festival

The two-hour programme includes time for the audience to talk with the filmmakers and with each other.

"We didn't make a film to be watched in silence and then forgotten on the walk home," said Darren Henderson.

"We want the local people who helped us make it to be part of the conversation – about the subjects the film raises, and about how it was made."

Following the Lancaster screening, The Premiere will be submitted to international film festivals across the UK, Europe and beyond, including Oscar- and BAFTA-qualifying festivals.

Tickets for the Lancaster screening are free; audiences can make an optional donation at checkout, which goes directly towards festival submission fees. The film screens from 2pm to 4pm at The Dukes.

Booking required via TryBooking HERE.

The film deals with themes of abuse and is recommended for audiences aged 15 and over. Anyone with concerns is welcome to contact the organisers in advance.

The Premiere is an entirely fictional film. Its characters, events and situations are not based on or connected to any directors, staff, actors or events associated with Lancaster Footlights or Lancaster Grand Theatre.