We are extremely proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of our Film & TV student, Luke Bates, who is currently in discussions with a major streaming platform to release his debut feature film, Dark Minds.

Luke began creating the film at just 16, writing, directing, producing, and editing the entire project himself by the time he was 17. Despite battling a debilitating autoimmune condition for most of his school years, Luke devoted over 3,000 hours to the project, drawing support from friends and fellow students—including lead actor Casey Hawtin—and even founding his own production company, Swift Productions.

Inspired by a vivid nightmare, Dark Minds evolved into a gripping murder mystery and premiered at Sky Studios Elstree. Luke, now in remission from IBD after suffering from PANDAS for many years, credits film as both an escape and a motivator during his long illness.

Vice Principal Curriculum Innovation and Digital Transformation, Ana Guimaraes, praised Luke’s “remarkable creativity, resilience and talent,” describing him as one of the UK’s youngest feature filmmakers. Luke also thanked his tutor Chris Faers and the college’s support, saying, “I just need a brief and I get on with it. That’s exactly what I get from the course.”

Well done Luke!

See the full trailer here: https://youtu.be/2Qe6cE0cHNw