A short film shot almost entirely in Kidderminster and starring a Game of Thrones actor has become BAFTA-qualified for Best British Short Film 2026.
Award-winning director Ross Syner said he "never expected" the film, Brothers, to reach such high success and lead to Game of Thrones and Harry Potter actor, David Bradley, filming for two days in his kitchen in Kidderminster.
Mr Syner, who co-wrote the script with his partner Leanne, professionally credited as Leanne Dunne, said: "Me and Leanne came up with the story based on a moral question about what you would do if a family member or friend turned up at your door and had done something bad.
"We were stuck in lockdown and when we were going through the script, I was reading it in the worst David Bradley impression. It was a bit of a spur-of-the-moment idea when I decided to contact him and see if he wanted to be part of the film.
"I got a response that said he was away filming Frankenstein and wasn't reading anything for six months.
"You never know when you're casting if it will be the right time for actors or if they'll be booked on another job, but I waited and ended up being extremely lucky as David jumped at the chance to be in our film.
"He thought the script was phenomenal. He wanted to do the film based on the writing alone. It has meant the world to us and showed his appreciation for the craft."
Mr Syner, who co-owns the production company Mockingbird Film Co' with business partner Ben Keen, also from Kidderminster, works in production day-to-day and has over ten years of experience in the industry.
As well as David Bradley, the film also stars Jack Christou and Kidderminster actor James Eeles (Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror and Darkest Hour).
The filming took place in Kidderminster with Mr Syner, who is originally from Blakedown and previously lived in Wollaston, stressing the importance of producing films in the West Midlands.
He said: "It was genuinely important to us to film local and champion the West Midlands. I went to Kidderminster College and there is a real hub of creativity here.
"I'd just bought a house in Kidderminster, which was a bit of a doer-upper. Unfortunately, I had to tell Leanne that we'd have to wait to renovate the kitchen as we needed it for the film.
"I still can't believe that such a well-known actor was sitting in my kitchen in Kidderminster. It was a real pinch-me moment. About 75 per cent of the filming was in Kidderminster and most of the cast and crew live here, so it created a real buzz on set for the two days of filming, and everyone on the street was really excited."
The film has enjoyed a successful run at several film festivals, including Aesthetica Short Film Festival (BAFTA/BIFA qualifying), HollyShorts (Oscar and BAFTA qualifying), Flicker’s Rhode Island (BAFTA qualifying), Worcester Film Festival (BIFA qualifying) and Forward Film Festival, and has now become BAFTA-qualified for Best British Short Film 2026.
Mr Syner described the response to the film as "phenomenal".
He said: "It reached the BAFTA threshold within the first few festivals, which was just unbelievable. The response has been phenomenal and we're yet to receive any sort of criticism.
"David Bradley has also been incredible. He is such a gentleman and he still mentions our film in interviews and gives it coverage. It's surreal and I am so grateful to him for all the support.
"I have so much appreciation for the whole cast and crew. It's a waiting game now to find out if we've made the BAFTA longlist."
To find out more about Mockingbird Film Co' visit www.mockingbirdfilmcompany.com/brothers
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