Portsmouth-based film made by University alumni available on Amazon Prime

A psychological thriller, which was created in Portsmouth and produced by a University alumni, has been added to a major streaming platform.

The Mire was made in 2021 by a team of film-makers, including BA Film Production graduate Thomas Byrne, co-founder of Port of Call Media, and tells the story of a religious cult set over the course of a night.

The feature has been noticed by some big names in the industry after premiering at No6 Cinema last year, and has officially been added to Amazon Prime UK and US.

It was edited by Jake Earwaker and shot by Jordan Wicks; also both successful BA Film Production alumni of the University. A number of additional crew supported the production, including  BA Film Production students.

The Mire is a co-production between Apple Park Films, Familiar Stranger Studios, Jake Earwaker Films, and The Dazey Hills company.  It was directed by Adam Nelson.

The film was shot in Portsmouth at the Kings Church, in Somerstown, and a number of other locations in the city. More information about the film and how to watch it on Amazon Prime is available here.

Meanwhile, Thomas and Jordan’s latest project premieres next week at the Guildhall Portsmouth’s Lens Studio (Thursday 10).

Young Buck serves as a multimedia learning resource teaching young people created in Partnership with Rebound Carers Group. 

The short film explores issues related to county lines, designed to educate and create discussions in the classroom about drugs and gangs.

The lead actor, Elliot Wraight, was studying Theatre BA (Hons) at the University of Portsmouth during filming. The script for Young Buck was written by Dan Curtis, another BAFP alumni.

Thomas, who was working for the University as a film and theatre technician in the School of Film, Media and Creative Technologies when he cast Elliot, said: “Working on Young Buck wasn’t just about creating something with a real impact on young people - it was also an opportunity to showcase the incredible talent we have here in Portsmouth. 

“The University is a key part of the city’s creative heartbeat, and casting one of its students felt like a perfect fit. I first spotted Elliot during his first term in a play, and his cool, confident presence stood out immediately. I knew he was Stocky from the start. I can’t wait for everyone to see the powerful performance he’s delivered.”

The launch is a free event aimed at educators and community leaders. Anyone interested in attending can book a ticket on Eventbrite.

Neil Hunt, Course Leader in BA Film Production (BAFP), said: “It's really important to us that our Film Production students gain some real-world experience working on projects alongside their studies so this is a fantastic opportunity to develop their skills. Not only does it provide them with valuable on-set experience it's great for them to be part of a feature being made in Portsmouth, and working with some of our talented alumni.”