The story of filmmakers April Kelley and Sara Huxley is both unusual and inspiring. The two drama-school graduates founded their production company, Mini Productions, while still at university — a bold move that launched their careers in the arts and led to a string of acclaimed British independent shorts. In this interview they reflect on building their company from scratch, navigating the UK film landscape, and their new positive-media project, Acting on a Dream.
“We do it because we love it!”
The chemistry between Sara and April is evident from their first meeting. Their close friendship and complementary working relationship make their partnership a natural fit, and their energy and optimism have driven Mini Productions from a student venture into a professional outfit producing impactful short films.
April: “We met through a mutual friend I knew from auditions. He suggested Sara when I needed help, so I found her on Twitter and invited her for tea. I’d seen her in a final-year show — I knew we’d get on. We talked for three hours and I called my dad saying, ‘sorry, you’ve lost your shares.’ We’ve been going ever since.”
April: “It’s like looking in a mirror. People who don’t know us well sometimes ask ‘what is going on?’ but when you click with someone you just know.”
As co-owners of Mini Productions they describe their arrangement as a “contract of trust.” Using the label, they’ve developed and funded important independent shorts and helped other filmmakers make their work — championing British creative talent in a fiercely competitive market.
Is it harder to get films made in the UK?
Sara: “We pitched our feature in Berlin alongside teams from the UK, Canada, the US and Ireland. The Canadian teams had clear national backing, which makes a difference. Funding in the UK is tough — we’re not the type with private wealth, so we built everything from the ground up. Our crews are world-class, but compared with places like France or Canada, arts funding feels less prioritised here.”
April: “UK funding is often frustrating. A lot of it is box-ticking and you can miss out if you don’t fit certain criteria. That said, nationality hasn’t held us back personally. American films dominate culturally for many reasons, but British talent stands out when given the chance.”
Has the British film industry become less prominent in recent decades?
Sara: “Yes, there’s been a shift. That’s partly why we take on branded and corporate work — it funds the creative projects that take much longer to get off the ground. The way audiences consume media has changed with streaming and VOD, and the traditional feature pipeline is evolving. As a small production company, we try to adapt by being savvy online while still making narrative work.”
April: “There’s also a paradox where funders say they want diversity and new voices, but creative freedom can be constrained. Young filmmakers often can’t access funding until they’ve worked with established organisations — a catch-22 that becomes tiring and political.”
Sara: “If you don’t have a strong network and you’re young, it’s very competitive. From acting to producing, this industry is exciting but tough. We persist because we love it.”
They also discussed gender imbalance and pay disparity within the industry. Both agree progress is happening but acknowledge systemic issues remain.
Is the film industry still weighted towards men?
Sara: “It reflects wider society. Historically, decision-makers have been white men in their forties and fifties, and many investors still are. While streaming platforms and public conversations around representation have broadened opportunities, change is gradual. We try to be conscious about diversity in our projects, not just gender but representation across the board.”
April: “Even with supportive families and modern attitudes, media messages can erode confidence. It’s a tricky generation — we know how to use the internet and social media, but perceptions persist and can knock your confidence.”
Sara: “When you write or cast, it’s easy to default to male protagonists. The next generation might grow up with more balanced representation, but we still have work to do.”
What are your long-term goals?
April: “Being shortlisted for a BAFTA was huge for us. Beyond awards, success for me is waking up excited to work, having an interesting and varied life with Mini Productions, and making films that comfort or engage people. I’d love to be part of creating a series that becomes a cultural touchstone — something like a modern ‘Friends’ that makes viewers feel at home.”
Sara: “I’d love to make an iconic series that everyone loves. Another aim is to reach a point where Mini is stable enough that we can greenlight projects because we want to make them, not because we have to chase funding. That stability would let us take creative risks and back projects consistently.”
About Annie Waits — how did that project come about and what was the experience of making it?
April: “Annie Waits came through a friend-of-a-friend who had written a short that suited us perfectly. He even saw it as a potential series. There was initial surprise that a man could write this kind of nuanced female character, but audiences — including men — have related to it, which speaks to the strength of the writing.”
April: “When we first saw the final cut I worried people might misread the character, but the response has been very positive. Playing Annie required drawing on personal experience — there’s a bit of method acting in there. To prepare, I even went on a handful of dates to get into the mindset of meeting a range of people. I wouldn’t do the apps again, but it helped the role.”
Making Annie Waits was a lesson in resourcefulness. They assembled a skilled crew through networks and favors, producing a high-quality short on a small budget.
Sara: “We’d worked on larger-budget pieces and, when Christian Cooke visited the Annie set, he was surprised by how much production value we’d achieved with minimal spend. But operating on favors isn’t sustainable long-term. We now prioritise paying crews and building a business that supports people fairly.”
April: “Marnie Paxton’s directorial debut brought many contacts and goodwill. People rallied around her. It was a chance to support a talented first-time director and give her the platform she deserved.”
How do ideas for projects develop at Mini Productions?
April: “We’re not secretive — we brainstorm openly.”
Sara: “Our quiet moments, away from freelance work, are the most creative. We’ll sit in a pub or around a table at Christmas and map out ideas. Sometimes we approach writers and directors we know; other times writers come to us. It’s a collaborative, organic process.”
What else are you working on?
Sara: “We’re launching a positive media company, Acting on a Dream. We were frustrated by shallow content and wanted a platform for meaningful, inspirational material — interviews and short films that make people think and feel motivated. Our first test video, about an inspirational teacher, has reached millions of viewers. Acting on a Dream will feature a professional interview strand called ‘The Dreamers Series’ with well-known contributors.”
April: “We also give talks for students and emerging talent. Many young people are told to choose a ‘proper’ degree instead of following creative ambitions. We come from families who started businesses from the ground up, and we believe people should be supported to pursue creative careers. There’s no single path to success — hard work, respect for collaborators, and persistence are what count.”
Sara: “There are many routes into film: branded content, viral videos, charity work. Keep making, keep learning, be respectful to your collaborators, and you’ll find a way.”
Support April Kelley, Sara Huxley and Mini Productions:
Mini Productions Website: miniproductions.co.uk
Mini Productions Facebook: MINI Productions Ltd.
Mini Productions Twitter: @Mini_Prods
April Kelley Twitter: @april__kelley
Sara Huxley Twitter: @Sara_Huxley
Check out Acting on a Dream:
Website: actingonadream.com
Facebook: Acting on a Dream
Twitter: @actingonadream
Instagram: @actingonadream