HELEN LYONS-CURRAN
AWARD WINNING WRITER, DIRECTOR & FILMMAKER
ABOUT
BIO
Helen Lyons-Curran is a multi-award-winning UK-based filmmaker. Her love of cinema began in childhood, sparking a lifelong passion for storytelling.
She built her craft in production and editing before moving into self-led projects. She later founded PickaXe Films and is currently developing her debut feature in partnership with another venture.
Her work has garnered multiple awards, including a Delta Short Film Award from the long-running Festival of Fantastic Films and a prestigious Royal Television Society award for her macabre WWII short, Delicacy. Crime-drama, Choke was acquired by M62 Films, while her horror-noir proof-of-concept, Ends Meat is available on Amazon Prime.
She is preparing to release Last Strike, a female-led road-thriller. Her planned sophomore feature, Blood, Wrath, and Mercy is already attracting early industry interest.
APPROACH
My early connection to film grew into a broad appreciation of film genre. This enables me to honour genre conventions while also exploring stories from my own perspective. Every project is unique and I love to collaborate to deliver the tone, style, and mood that each requires.
Working in independent film has shaped a practical, problem-solving approach; I enjoy the challenge of creating something meaningful when working within modest budgets and tight schedules. I am adept to balancing creativity with resourcefulness.
Whatever the genre, I'm always looking to bring a personal connection to the work and create something that feels both authentic and cinematically immersive.
Education
A First Class BA (Hons) graduate in Film Production from The Manchester Film School.
Helen's educational journey equipped her with practical hands-on industry experience, which combined with her work in independent film, enables her to thrive within both the scale and structure of larger productions and in the spontaneity of run-and-gun independent filmmaking.
Bachelor of Arts in Film Production
The Manchester Film School / The University of Salford
Foundation degree in Film Production
The Manchester College
PGCE Film Production and Film Studies
UCEN / University of Huddersfield
PRESS
ACCOLADES
WINNER
The Royal Television Society North West
Best Student Drama
The Festival of Fantastic Films
Delta Short Film Award
The US Hollywood International Film Festival
Best Cinematography
Screen Stockport Film Festival
Best University Film
The San Francisco Short Film Awards
Award of Excellence
Screen Stockport Film Festival
3rd Place Super Short Film
NOMINATIONS
The US Hollywood International Film Festival
Best Foreign Film
The US Hollywood International Film Festival
Best Film
Thurrock Film Festival
Best Director
Thurrock Film Festival
Best Performance
Thurrock Film Festival
Best Film
Screentest Film festival
Best Art & Design
BUFVC
Production Award
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Grimmfest
Spooky Empire Horror Film Festival
Beeston Film Festival
San Jose International Film festival
Macabre Faire Film Festival
Hamilton NY Film Festival
Dublin International Short Film Festival
Kino International Film Festival
Didsbury Arts Festival
Ozark Shorts
Long Beach International Film Festival
Terror on Tyne Film Festival
Fright Night Film Festival
