Leon arrived in the Creative Opps Members community with the energy of someone who knows exactly what stories he wants to tell—and why. A filmmaker with a taste for genre-bending narratives, he’s committed to putting Black characters at the centre of thrillers, sci-fi adventures, action epics and horror films, spaces where they’re still too often underrepresented.
His work draws inspiration from filmmakers like Spike Lee, Ryan Coogler and Jordan Peele, combining sharp visual storytelling with themes of parenting, family and resilience. From building crews via community WhatsApp groups to steering a short film through 27 festival rejections before landing multiple awards, Leon approaches each project with grit, creativity and a determination to rewrite the script on who gets seen on screen.
Pt. 1: Origins of a Genre-Bending Filmmaker
From Media-Studies Classroom to Movie Sets
Leon didn’t grow up dreaming of film school. It clicked later, while studying Media Studies at college: “Through doing photography, learning code for websites and working in the darkroom, I realised I really liked filmmaking more because it was so much more practical for me.”
Those practical roots still guide him. He lights up when recalling the action films he devoured with his mum, and he keeps that sense of spectacle close to every project.
Three Directors, One Mission
Leon cites an eclectic trinity as touchstones: Spike Lee, Ryan Coogler and Jordan Peele. “I just like the way they capture Black stories in different perspectives through their own creative fields and different genres.”
For Leon, Lee’s Do the Right Thing proved formative: “That was probably one of my influences when I was really young.” Coogler’s blockbuster confidence and Peele’s cerebral horror remind him that “Black filmmakers can’t be boxed in.”
Building Dropouts: A Short Film with a Big Message
Leon’s latest short, Dropouts, sprang from late-night viewings of Squid Game, Saw, and cult favourite Circle. “I thought, okay, cool, I can do something like this. It shouldn’t be too difficult,” he laughs. The twist? A deadly game of pass-the-parcel. The film was crewed almost entirely through community WhatsApp groups and in-person networking—proof that resourcefulness trumps big budgets. “We got together and made that film… it was about looking at things and seeing how you can do it differently.” Asked what he hopes audiences feel when the credits roll, Leon is clear:
“Finish what you started and don’t give up.”
Pt. 2: Leon’s Filmmaking Journey
Festival baptism of fire. Submitting Dropouts to festivals was Leon’s first real test — a rollercoaster that taught him more in a few months than years of theory ever could. He went in hopeful, but the reality hit hard: 27 rejections before a single “yes.” In between the no’s came the breakthroughs — four festival awards and a string of official selections that proved he was on the right track.
The process was also an expensive learning curve. Submission fees ranged from £10 to £50, and the costs mounted quickly when applying to dozens of festivals. Still, Leon sees it as part of the journey. The experience not only revealed how his work was received, but also gave him valuable insight into the festival landscape — which events suited his style, how to position his films, and where to focus his time and resources.
For others starting out, Leon’s advice is to approach submissions strategically from day one. Research festivals carefully, set a realistic budget, and focus on those whose audience and programming align with your work. He also recommends FilmFreeway’s Gold membership for budget-friendly submissions — the discounts quickly pay off for filmmakers submitting widely.
Leon’s advice for early-career filmmakers:
- Step outside your comfort zone. An introvert by nature, Leon has learned that growth comes from discomfort — speaking up, reaching out, and putting yourself in unfamiliar spaces.
- Network everywhere. He suggests using Eventbrite for meet-ups, Instagram for opportunities, and attending festivals with a friend if solo travel feels daunting. Some of the most valuable connections, he says, happen between screenings in a cinema lobby.
- Find your village. Collaboration is at the heart of Leon’s work. Surrounding yourself with people who share your vision — and bring different skills — helps small ideas grow into full productions.
- Avoid the comparison trap. “Everybody has their own journey, their own timeline,” he says. Comparing yourself to others can derail your progress; the focus should always be on honing your craft and building your own body of work.
What’s next? Leon is currently storyboarding a sequel to Dropouts, expanding the world he created with bigger stakes and bolder visuals. He’s also on the lookout for producers who share his appetite for risk-taking stories, as well as writers, cinematographers, and sound designers ready to push boundaries in genre filmmaking.
“We’ve got more stories to tell,” he says — and his focus is firmly on making sure those stories reach the audiences they deserve, whether on the festival circuit, in independent cinemas, or on streaming platforms.
To connect with Leon, find him on:
Email: [email protected]
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-thompson-a562a41b0/
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user63283473
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leon.thompson97?igsh=bTVkdmoxc3prd2Nw&utm_source=qr