New films created by 16-year-olds debut at the Old Court in Windsor

Films created by two teenagers serving as youth trustees for a Windsor-based production company have premiered at The Old Court cinema. 

Sam Horsfall and Poppy Knowles, both 16, undertook the challenge of directing and writing their own films which premiered at the venue on Friday, January 30.

The two films have taken more than a year to make, in collaboration with other young participants from production company Notice Productions. 

Poppy's film The Ballad of Mallory Opfer is a 'hard-hitting story' of a young woman in an abusive marriage. 

Provoked by trauma, she develops Maladaptive Daydreaming, where a person experiences vivid daydreams which distract from their reality. 

The film sees Mallory's condition take her into a fairytale land where she looks to exercise control, far from the reality of her day-to-day life. 

Sam's film Bruises is a psychological exploration of physical abuse, trauma and the 'fragile human condition'. 

The story follows a young man called Ben and psychologist Dr Miles as they try to reckon with the horrors he has been exposed to and the 'perilous uncertainty' of his future. 

The film features experimental sounds and imagery. 

Notice Productions gives young people the opportunity to write and direct their own films, while also running all aspects of the organisation, from training one another to the management of film production. 

Since forming in 2022, the organisation has explored a range of issues, including eating disorders, substance abuse, youth radicalisation and extreme misogyny.

Last year, actor Sir Ian McKellen collaborated with the group on the film Dragged Through Time, which explored LGBTQ+ history. 

The film made news headlines and premiered at the first Windsor & Eton Pride last July, which was attended by Sir Ian McKellen. 

The team have an 'exciting array of projects in development'. 

The group 'remains unfunded' and is looking to form greater connections across the Windsor community. 

They are looking for community partners who can help the group to deliver its aims, whether through providing space to film in or supporting through donations or loans of equipment. 

For more about Notice Productions, visit: www.noticeproductions.org.uk