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Syd Heather

Award-winning Writer, Producer & Director | Freelance Film Production & Distribution | BAFTA Connect & Directors UK

Syd Heather is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, director, and producer based in Kent, UK.12 He is the founder and Creative Director of Squid Shack Studios, an emerging production company supported by Create South East and The Kent Foundation.3

Career Highlights

Syd has over a decade of experience working across various formats, including:

  • Narrative films
  • Documentaries
  • Branded content

His work has been recognized at prestigious festivals such as BAFTA, BIFA, and OSCAR qualifying events worldwide.1 Some of his notable projects include:

  • Micropubs: The New Local: His award-winning debut documentary feature, exploring the Kentish micropub revolution. It's available on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and GuideDoc.13
  • Textual Relationship: A satirical rom-com short that debuted at BFI Future Film Festival and won Best Comedy & Film of the Night at Limelight Film Awards.2
  • The Deal: Nominated for Best Comedy Short at the New Renaissance Film Festival.2

Professional Affiliations

Syd is currently:

  • An associate member of Directors UK
  • Part of the BAFTA Connect programme (2022-2025), designed to support future leaders in film, games, and television.23

Current Projects

Syd is actively involved in several projects:

  1. Developing a regional production/distribution company for Kent-based projects with the HI3 NETWORK.1
  2. Working on his second documentary feature about independent cinemas in Kent.3
  3. Developing his first fiction feature, "Hush Little One," a supernatural thriller exploring British folklore and childhood fears.3

Syd Heather's passion for storytelling, combined with his versatile skills and industry recognition, positions him as a rising talent in the UK film industry.

Highlights

Feb 21 · linkedin

What a blast! Back from my very first Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) and European Film Market (EFM).

An invaluable, informative and eye-opening experience being part of one of the biggest film markets in the world.

My amazingly talented producer Sean Scott Griffin and I had the honour of pitching a film project in the Berlinale Gropius Dome to a full capacity of 200+ industry professionals with Largo.ai. As one of only 15 projects invited to take part, yes it was super nerve-wracking and I had a split-second mind blank in the middle of our 3-minute shark-tank style pitch BUT it’s important to persevere, back yourself and get out of your comfort zone. It was one of the best decisions we made and the experience has already led to some great new contacts, filmmaker friends and exciting conversations.

As my first feature-length narrative screenplay (that I’ve co-written with my buddy #AlexanderLincoln) that’s brand new to the marketplace, I’m extremely proud that we’ve already been able to pitch the project Birmingham Film & TV Market and now European Film Market – EFM in only a few months - wheels are starting to move!

I feel quietly confident this is just the start for our supernatural, folklore horror... watch this space! If you want to know more about supporting the project, please do get in touch for the pitch deck and more.

Oct 5 · linkedin

I had some unexpected but wonderful news today!

After three great years on the BAFTA Crew programme for emerging creatives (which has unfortunately now been retired), I’m really proud to say that I’ve been accepted to join their brand new Bafta #Connect programme in its inaugural year!

I genuinely didn’t expect it and thought that perhaps my time on the scheme was over but there’s still lots to learn and apply what I’ve been learning on and off the programme as I think about my first narrative feature. I’ve also got lots of ideas for creating more #distribution streams for #independent creators that I really want to explore so thank you BAFTA and all the team who saw something in me! ☺️

I can’t wait to see the brand new building (with my very own KEY CARD 🔑!!) and what events are coming up over the next year.

I also can’t wait to properly catch up with new and old faces at the events and masterclasses.

Let’s make some #movies!

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Related Questions

What inspired Syd Heather to start Squid Shack Studios?
What are some of the most notable projects Syd Heather has worked on?
How did Syd Heather's work on "Micropubs: The New Local" get recognized?
What is the BAFTA CONNECT program that Syd Heather was selected for?
How does Syd Heather incorporate empathy and humor into his storytelling?
Syd Heather
Syd Heather, photo 1
Syd Heather, photo 2
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Location

Tonbridge, England, United Kingdom