OUR STORY
Action On The Side began in July 2013 as the brainchild of James Doherty, as a way to meet more filmmakers to work with on his own projects. The group decided to make two shorts: RECONSTRUCTION, which James produced, and ELLE FATALE, which Patricia Hetherington produced. James invited Patricia onboard to co-run the project for October 2013. James moved to focus on his own filmmaking pursuits. Patricia has been running the project since under her company, Busy Kiwi Productions.
The project has evolved to focus on providing skills development and training for both new and experienced filmmakers.
Action On The Side has had over 100 participants and, from 2013-2020, produced 3-4 films per year.
In 2016, we began to run regular Script Development Workshops that help writers develop their screenplays.
In 2018, we began our internship programme, offering producers training to new filmmakers.
In 2022, we began our Short Screenplay Award.
In 2023, we ran our first Cinema SoundEX and 48-Hour Film Competition.
In 2025, we are running our 48 Hour Film Competition with Aravali International Film Festival in New Delhi, India.
We look forward to growing with new projects and ventures
“I hugely recommend this. I wrote and directed the last project. It taught me a hell of a lot, made some great friends, we’re making more films together as well, the film came out better than we’d imagined, and I had a lot of fun. If you want to get yourself on a set and not sure how, if you have a script you have to see on screen, if you want to widen your network of film makers – get involved in this project.”
Pete Giblin - Writer/Director, Exposure, AOTS JUN17
OUR MISSION
Action On The Side aims to support independent filmmakers to tell their stories
by providing training, opportunities, and a community network