Finchley Lane – Iva Šimić and Laura Kaliger

Iva Šimić (MA Creative Producing) and Laura Kaliger (MA Acting for Screen), spoke with us us about their collaboration on short film ‘Finchley Lane’, which is set to make its premiere at the Sarajevo Youth Film Festival.

What activity, project or placement have you been working on?

IVA: Laura and I collaborated on the production of a short film called “Finchley Lane”, which was filmed in December of the previous year. I served as an associate producer, while Laura had a role in the film. “Finchley Lane” revolves around the story of four best friends striving to establish themselves as actors in the bustling city of London. As they navigate the highs and lows of the acting world, confront the pressures of the industry, and pursue their personal ambitions, their friendships are put to the ultimate test. Through this film, we explore a thought-provoking question: Does success come at the cost of friendship? Excitingly, “Finchley Lane” is set to make its premiere this summer at the Sarajevo Youth Film Festival. This prestigious international festival focuses on addressing challenges faced by the young generations, making it the perfect platform for our film’s debut.

Did you get involved with your work through Central, another organisation or on your own?

IVA: My dear friend and colleague from previous education, Harun Ćehović, who recently graduated from RADA, approached me to read a draft of the script he wrote. Immediately after the first reading, I knew I wanted to produce it - as I felt an incredible connection to the story of a group of immigrant artists striving to pursue their passion in one of the biggest cultural capitals of the world. Interestingly enough, the majority of our cast and crew consists of people who are not native Brits but relocated to London in pursuit of education and their dreams! We had such a memorable time shooting this and I am so grateful for the variety of people that wanted to tell this story: from seasoned professionals like Lesley Ewen and accomplished young stars like Ahmed Malek, to individuals whose exceptional talents and promising careers are still emerging within London’s artistic landscape - like Laura’s!

What made you want to get involved?

LAURA: Iva and I crossed paths at Central, where we discovered our shared nationality and a multitude of common interests. We immediately got along both privately and professionally, and it wasn’t long before she introduced me to a project she was working on and asked if I would be interested in auditioning for it. I was immediately drawn to the idea of a group of young enthusiasts getting together and telling their story through film. Being an international acting student about to embark on my journey in the UK industry, I felt an immediate resonance with the subject matter. The collaboration with Iva was really wonderful, and I am sure this is the first of many projects we will do together.

What have you been getting up to on your courses at Central?

IVA: Currently, I have the amazing opportunity to be on placement with Anthology Theatre, a remarkable company that produces and general manages shows in the West End and globally. Alongside my placement, I am producing two research and development projects that emphasise the exploration of new writing, and I am developing a new short film.

LAURA: I’m currently dedicated to my coursework, having recently finished shooting a fulfilling short film of my own. In parallel, I’m actively engaged in collaborating with colleagues on an ambitious graduate film project. Furthermore, a short film “Joža” that I co-created with two talented colleagues had its premiere at the renowned Croatian Cinema Days Festival, where it received a notable award.

How is this project, activity or placement related to your coursework?

IVA: Although our course primarily centres around theatre producing and despite the fact this project was not related to my coursework specifically, my course leader graciously ensured I had a chance to connect with a prominent industry expert, whom I could seek advice from.


LAURA: This was a perfect opportunity to try everything we had been learning on the course in practice.

How did you find out about Central and decide to study with us?

LAURA: I found out about the course from my friend and a recent graduate when I was finishing my BA in Acting. I was looking to continue my education in the direction of screen acting and filmmaking, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity for that.

IVA: I found it through online research, it seemed like a great place to gain valuable skills.

What are you planning to do after graduation?

LAURA: After graduation, I would like to pursue a career that will allow me to explore both film and theatre. I am particularly excited about collaborating with others to create and develop my own projects.

IVA: I plan to keep working with people who are hungry to tell stories, who inspire me with their ambition, dedication and passion, and who motivate me to be the best collaborator I could be.

‘Finchley Lane’ premieres at the Sarajevo Youth Film Festival in July 2023. For more information about ‘Finchley Lane’, view the film’s profile on IMDb or watch the trailer, below.