On the 30th of January, two films created entirely by teenagers premiered at The Old Court cinema, Windsor. Sam Horsfall and Poppy Knowles, who both serve as youth trustees for Notice Productions, undertook the challenge of directing and writing their own films despite only being 16. The films have taken over a year to create, collaborating with other young participants from Notice Productions to create truly original cinematic art on issues of great importance.
Poppy Knowles’ film, The Ballad of Mallory Opfer, is the hard-hitting story of a young woman within an abusive marriage. Provoked by trauma, she develops Maladaptive Daydreaming, a condition where sufferers are completely debilitated with prolonged episodes that disconnect them from reality. For Mallory, this condition takes her into a fairytale land where she seeks to exercise control far from the grim reality of her day-to-day.
Speaking about her film, Poppy said, “I kept thinking, who am I to make a film? It turns out, a lot of young women feel the same. Only 25% of directors are female. There is a great disparity in film that ensures women remain misrepresented. I hope that my film gives women a voice, not only through my writing and collaborating with my fabulous cast, but also by exploring a condition that overwhelmingly affects women.”
Sam Horsfall’s film, Bruises, is a psychological exploration of trauma, physical abuse, and the fragile human condition. It follows a young man called Ben and a psychologist, Dr Miles, as they attempt to reckon with the horrors he has been exposed to and the perilous uncertainty of his future. Rich with experimental sound and imagery, the film does not shy away from exposing hard truths.
Speaking after his film had been shown, Sam commented, “Trauma is arguably the biggest health crisis in the world. More of us have trauma than do not, and we are constantly inhabiting and exhibiting it. It typifies the work of Notice Productions that we work on misunderstood issues, always in a way that promotes authentic youth voices and demonstrates a sense of hope.”
Notice Productions is a Windsor-based organisation that takes a radical approach to youth leadership and artistic freedom. The young participants not only write and direct their own films, but they also run all aspects of the organisation, ranging from training one another to the management of film production.
The group is proud to create a safe space where young people feel able to take risks and develop the confidence to do things they never thought possible. High value is placed on producing works of artistic merit, but also in tackling issues that are often seen as too challenging or complex to discuss.
Since forming in 2022, the group has explored youth radicalisation, substance abuse, eating disorders, and extreme misogyny. They hit the international press in 2025 when national treasure and Lord of the Rings star, Sir Ian McKellen, collaborated with the group in their film on gay history. They have an exciting array of projects in development as a growing number of local young people join the group.
Despite their success, the group remains unfunded and is seeking to form greater connections across the Windsor community. They remain on the lookout for Community Partners who can help them deliver their ambitious aims, whether through lending space to film within or supporting through donations or loans of equipment.
To learn more about the organisation, check out their website: www.noticeproductions.org.uk
