Studio honoured by National Film Award nomination

A Surrey film studio says it is an "incredible honour" for one of its movies to be recognised as one of the best independent films of the year ahead of the National Film Awards.

Tales of the Underworld, produced by Scruffy Bear Media in Woking, has been nominated for Best Independent Film, with public voting open ahead of the awards ceremony on Wednesday.

The film is a prequel to the studio's Lucas and Albert which won Best Film at the awards in 2021.

Director Darren S. Cook said: "As an independent production, this nomination means a great deal to everyone involved."

Producer Nicky Hagan added: "We put everything into making this film, often juggling multiple roles just to bring it to life, so to see it recognised on a national stage is incredibly rewarding."

Starring The Bill and Eastenders actor Ian Burfield and Peaky Blinders' Brendan Gibson, Tales of the Underworld is described as a dark crime thriller told through the eyes of a journalist.

The film is currently being shown at festivals, with a cinema release planned for autumn.

The National Film Awards also recognise larger productions such as Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, Hamnet and I Swear, which are all nominated in the Best Drama category.

Other actors and actresses nominated for solo awards include Olivia Colman for The Roses, Pierce Brosnan for The Thursday Murder Club and Jessie Buckley for Hamnet.

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