A teenager from Basildon is celebrating a new milestone as her film has been selected for a major festival this weekend.
Kinara, 13, will see her short film Lady Oriole screened at 3pm on Saturday, March 7 at the Northampton Filmhouse as part of the Northampton Film Festival.
A screenwriter, filmmaker and performer at the Pauline Quirke Academy (PQA) in Wickford, Kinara wrote the film when she was just 12.
At the time, she also won a young screenwriter award for “Lady Oriole”.
Kinara said: "Having my film shown at the Northampton Film Festival feels incredible.
"It means so much to see a story so personal to me come alive on the big screen.
"I’m so grateful to everyone for being part of this moment and supporting my journey."
Lady Oriole blends folklore and coming-of-age themes in a story about Mercy, a young girl who discovers her late grandmother’s journal.
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The film draws on Kinara’s Caribbean heritage and includes cultural elements from Montserrat, with the title referencing the island’s national bird.
Kinara continues to develop her filmmaking skills at PQA Wickford and is currently working on a new project about a prospective student at an eccentric private school, taking on roles both in front of and behind the camera.
She is also preparing to play the Wicked Witch in Shrek Jr, which will be performed at The Thameside Theatre in July.
Eden Quine-Taylor, director of Lady Oriole and a PQA alumnus, praised the young filmmaker’s talent.
Eden She said: "Lady Oriole blends culture, family dynamics, and fantastical elements cohesively.
"It is a beautifully nuanced exploration of grief with the opportunity to visually explore the world inside Kiara's (Protagonist) mind."
Teri Levett, principal of PQA Wickford, said Kinara’s achievements are inspiring other students.
She added: "We are so proud of everything that Kinara has achieved.
"Knowing that her film is now showing in prestigious film festivals is incredibly inspiring to our other students, particularly given how young Kinara was when her screenplay first won.
"I don’t know if Kinara realises how inspirational she is."
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