Born in the picturesque town of Cheltenham, England in 1993, Calum Rhys's life was destined for a remarkable trajectory. As a young lad growing up in the West Midlands, Rhys's passion for the silver screen was ignited at an astonishingly early age. With his father's trusty camera by his side, the budding filmmaker began crafting short films at the tender age of 11, laying the groundwork for a lifelong odyssey in the world of cinema.
Rhys's fervor for the art of filmmaking continued to escalate as the years went by, ultimately culminating in the establishment of his own production company, Smashing UK Productions, in the year 2010.
In the early stages, the company primarily concentrated on producing video blogs and comedic sketches, which were uploaded to YouTube and showcased Rhys and his school friends during their time in Worcestershire.
As Rhys transitioned to university life in Yorkshire, he continued to refine his filmmaking skills by collaborating with friends on the creation of short films, including the award-nominated psychological drama, The Secret Eye.
Throughout this process, Rhys gained valuable experience and insight into the realm of guerrilla filmmaking, learning the importance of resourcefulness and adaptability in the face of creative challenges.
Rhys's career-defining moment arrived with the acclaimed short war drama, Our Father, which made its global debut at the prestigious 69th Cannes Film Festival, a platform renowned for showcasing the most outstanding cinematic achievements from around the world. This groundbreaking film garnered an astonishing 14 award nominations, a testament to its exceptional quality, and went on to claim an impressive three wins during its festival run, thus cementing Rhys's status as a visionary filmmaker.
Rhys has embarked upon a fresh and exciting venture, as he has initiated the development process for his latest creative endeavour, which promises to be a powerful and captivating firefighter drama titled Brigade. This ambitious project marks a significant milestone in Rhys's already impressive and storied career as a filmmaker, showcasing his continued dedication to crafting compelling and memorable stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.
