Niamh West is the founder of FlowerPunk Films, a production company dedicated to championing female and LGBTQIA+ stories. FlowerPunk Films is known for its bold, unique approach to storytelling, particularly in the comedy-horror genre. Niamh is passionate about creating space for marginalised voices in the film industry, and she took part in the Bright Red Sparks pitching competition, where she won £500 towards the production of her short film, Hot Young Geek Seeks Blood-Sucking Freak.
BRT’s Support:
Niamh credits BRT for being instrumental in helping her develop her venture.
“With the £500 from Bright Red Sparks, we were able to
bring on board a wonderful cast and provide equity rate pay. We also had some money left over for our festival circuit, which is a dream!” Niamh’s journey
with BRT has been marked by consistent support and guidance. “BRT has been extremely supportive and approachable, providing business advice when I didn’t
have the finances to seek it elsewhere,” she says. “Their team has been a valuable resource and has helped me overcome challenges, from insurance advice
to navigating the film industry’s hurdles.”
Achievements:
Since winning the Bright Red Sparks competition, Niamh and her team successfully completed their short film Hot Young Geek Seeks Blood-Sucking Freak, a comedy-horror about being young, queer, and anxious. The film has been accepted into the Scottish Queer International Film Festival, premiering at the Glasgow Film Theatre in October 2024.
Next Steps:
Looking ahead, Niamh’s next step is to continue expanding the reach of FlowerPunk Films, with plans to grow the business and further establish their reputation in the film industry. Her aspirations include growing the company’s portfolio and achieving enough success to focus exclusively on filmmaking, ultimately leaving her 9-5 job.
Key Milestones:
- Winning £500 in Bright Red Sparks competition
- Completing the film Hot Young Geek Seeks Blood-Sucking Freak
- Premiering the film at the Scottish Queer International Film Festival
- Receiving ongoing support and advice from the BRT team
What’s Next:
- Expand the reach of FlowerPunk Films within the film industry
- Continue making films and building a sustainable production company
- Focus on growing the business to eventually transition full-time into filmmaking