New British production company, Developing Room Films, has officially launched with a slate of three “socially‑conscious” genre short films currently in post‑production.
To Catch A Siren, Dinner for Loners and The Truth About Space tackle issues of migration, loneliness and rehabilitation through fantastical, comedic and sci‑fi lenses.
Founded by Harvey John, Developing Room Films is the production arm of The Developing Room – a UK-wide creative network that helps emerging filmmakers break into the industry through masterclasses, networking, on-set opportunities and film financing. The Developing Room – with John serving as Executive Producer – most recently helped finance Breakwater, the most-nominated film at the 33rd Raindance Film Festival.
Developing Room Films’ debut slate of three shorts brings together a roster of creative talent including Emmy-winning executive producer Karina Michel (Tallulah Films) and BAFTA-winning Tobi Kyeremateng (Them Ones); actors Kulvinder Ghir (Blinded by the Light, Bend It Like Beckham), Melissa Knatchbull (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Mission: Impossible) and Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn (Small Axe); alongside directors Raphaela Wagner, Keshav Shree and Jeremiah Towolawi, and executive producers such as David Beazley (Shore Scripts) and John Jencks (The Uncertain Kingdom).
Each short has already secured industry recognition through competitive funding grants and awards. To Catch A Sirenwon the Grand Prize in the Shore Scripts 2024 Spring Short Film Fund and received funding from Hessen Film & Medien, Verein Südkultur and the Cine Circle Film Fund; The Truth About Space won the Shore Scripts 2025 Spring Short Film Finishing Fund and previously received support from The Uncertain Kingdom Belief Grant and Cine Circle Film Fund.
“We believe genre films are a powerful way to spark change—it lets us challenge people’s thinking while still keeping them entertained,” said Harvey John, founder of Developing Room Films. “These shorts tackle pressing issues like displacement, loneliness and rehabilitation, but in ways that feel fresh, cinematic, and accessible. We’re proud to support bold new voices in storytelling—voices that need to be heard.”
The initial slate underpins a pipeline of long-form projects in development, led by a feature version of To Catch A Siren.
Jon Creamer
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