The Originals
Since late 2022, Maze Bound Films has been committed to creating original, independent cinema. What began as three friends making films together has grown into a thriving creative community, with a commitment to producing at least one original film every year.
Every project we make is self-funded and produced entirely in-house, from the earliest stages of development through to final delivery. This independence allows us to champion bold ideas, take creative risks, and maintain complete ownership over the stories we tell. Along the way, we've had the privilege of collaborating with some of the most exciting emerging talent working across the UK independent film scene.
While we are always striving for the highest possible standards in our work, we never want to lose sight of the joy that brought us to filmmaking in the first place. We believe the process is just as important as the finished film. By creating productions that are collaborative, welcoming, and genuinely enjoyable to be a part of, we empower everyone involved to do their best work. When people feel valued, trusted, and creatively fulfilled, that energy inevitably finds its way onto the screen.
Take a look below at some of the projects that have shaped our journey so far.
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Polar (2026)
“Zoe, in the wake of an untimely death in the family, is feeling shortchanged by life; the world looks a bit more sad and a bit more grey. On her way home from school on the final day of Summer term, the world does its best to convince her that it's anything but.”
(Currently in festivals - please contact us directly if you would like to view the film)
Written and Directed by Sam Roy Starring Georgia Gilbert, Finabi Hirst, Oliver Thomas-Wright, Nicola Sowa, Scarlett Long, Lily Davey, Lydia Sanderson, Evie Hollingworth, Grace Hopkins, Taylor Pope, Sam Roy, Ollie Roy, Jack Tear and Gaye Shepherd Production Coordinator Ellie Bickerton-Jones DOP Katiana Weems-Ado 1st AC Toufique Ali & Aidan Schramm 2nd AC Guy Chadwick 1st AD Caitlin Lee-Wilcox Gaffer James Hutchinson Sound Recordist Martha James Boom Operator Scott Swift Education Coordinator Bo Borthwick Performers Chaperone Teija McLarnon & Anna Hirst Production Photography Morgan Christian Poster Design Ingrid James Editor Caitlin Lee-Wilcox Sound Designer Martha James Composer Ellie Parker Colour Grade Black Kite Studios Colourist Simone Chiavini Post Producer Reece Whiteley Producers Caitlin Lee-Wilcox, Ellie Bickerton-Jones, Katiana Weems-Ado, Martha James, Sam Roy Executive Producers Andrew Roy, Bruce McCoy, Caitlin Lee-Wilcox, Carsten Vollmers, Elizabeth Elston, Gavin Jones, Jack Holmes, Joanne Roy, Josh Bridgman, Katie Chance, Martha James, Nathan James, Sam Roy, Vicki James
Stage Fright (2025)
“Stood at a urinal and feeling pretty inadequate, Lance is visited by himself from 5 minutes in the future for a bit of a pep talk.”
Written by Taylor Pope and Sam Roy Starring Taylor Pope and Nate Leather Cinematographer Sam Roy 1st AC James Hutchinson 1st AD Scott Swift. Sound Designer Martha James Original Songs by Stone Cold Sweethearts and The Great Leslie Executive Producers Martha James, Caitlin Lee-Wilcox, Taylor Pope and Sam Roy
This Is What You Get (2024)
“With their uncle dying in the bedroom upstairs, a sister and brother disagree on what their responsibilities are and which roles they play in the process of inheriting.”
Written and Directed by Sam Roy Starring Lexi Powell, Seth Somers, Sarah Merrifield and Rory Cheal Cinematography by Jordan Saward 1st AC Leah Smith 2nd AC Guy Chadwick Key Grip Niall Langlands Production Coordination Ellie Bickerton-Jones Production Assistant Robin Bernard Production Designer Ingrid James Script Supervisor Taylor Pope Sound Recordist Martha James Boom Operator Scott Swift Editor Caitlin Lee-Wilcox Assistant Editor Guy Chadwick Post Producer Abbey Wilson Sound Designer Martha James Colourist George Adamson Graphic Designer Ingrid James Original Score by Eleanor Parker Executive Producers Martha James, Caitlin Lee-Wilcox and Sam Roy
Landlord (2023)
'Landlord' was made in collaboration with the 2023 Ealing 48 short film competition. Given the genre of 'Espionage Thriller', the film was written, shot, edited and delivered in 48 hours.
Directed by Sam Roy Starring Taylor Pope and James Lee Written by Kate Skeffington Cinematography by Sam Roy 1st AC Jordan Saward Producer Robin Bernard Editor Caitlin Lee-Wilcox Assistant Editor Guy Chadwick Sound Design Martha James Boom Operator Emma Van Den Berg Executive Producers Martha James, Caitlin Lee-Wilcox and Sam Roy
Some Things Found (2023)
Made in collaboration with the 2023 'Doc in a Day' competition, 'Some Things Found' was devised, shot and edited in 36 Hours, with the subject matter of 'Purpose'.
We invited friends and family to contribute voice notes answering the questions: ‘What were you looking for when you moved to London, and do you think you’ve found it yet?’ The film demonstrates the diversity of the answers we received, both celebrating London’s endless opportunities and possibilities, while investigating it’s lonelier side.
A Film by Bo Borthwick, Caitlin Lee-Wilcox, Emma Van Den Berg, Martha James and Sam Roy
Roof (2023)
“It's a cold, grey Friday in a Central London office building and everyone wants nothing more than to escape to the roof. A short film written and directed by Sam Roy, shot chronologically in the space of one working day.”
Written and Directed by Sam Roy Starring Carolyn Maitland, Taylor Pope, Robert Veng, Rebecca Turner, Brittany Hodge, Dean Gribble, Stephen Daniels, Cameron Essam, Sarah Merrifield and Mackintosh de Hoghton-McKay Cinematography by Niall Langlands 1st AC Bo Borthwick 2nd AC Guy Chadwick Production Coordination Ellie Bickerton-Jones Production Assistants Robin Bernard and Leah Smith Sound Recordist Martha James Sound Assistant Lauren Jury Boom Operator Scott Swift Editor Caitlin Lee-Wilcox Assistant Editor Guy Chadwick Set Photography Tom Morris Sound Designer Martha James Original Song by Luke Brackley Executive Producers Martha James, Caitlin Lee-Wilcox and Sam Roy