Little Pains: Industry inside the classroom

Little Pains is a 19-minute short drama from writer-director Milda Baginskaitė. The film is shaped by the hands-on involvement of MetFilm students, alumni, and staff. Their contributions across the production highlight how our creative community plays an active role in professional filmmaking, while building valuable industry experience. Little Pains will be screening at the Manchester Film Festival on Saturday, 28 March.

More about the production

Little Pains follows 11-year-old Sophie, who turns the day of her mother’s funeral into an unexpected journey of play, connection, and healing. Rather than focusing on traditional depictions of grief, Little Pains explores how children process loss through imagination, offering a more intuitive and emotionally open perspective.

Milda Baginskaitė’s artistic approach centres the child’s experience, presenting grief not as something to be contained by adult expectations, but as something fluid, creative, and deeply personal. The film gently examines resilience, friendship, and the ways meaning can emerge even in moments of loss.

The project received international recognition, being selected as one of three winners of the Kodansha Cinema Creators’ Lab, chosen from over two thousand submissions. With funding and production backing from Kodansha, this support was instrumental in bringing the film to life.

Student and graduate experience on set

A key strength of the production lies in the involvement of MetFilm students and graduates across departments. Their contributions not only supported the film’s creation but also provided valuable, hands-on experience within a professional environment.

Phil McKeever (BA Hons Filmmaking Class of 2025) reflects on his time as an Assistant Director trainee:

“Little Pains is one of the most enjoyable sets I’ve had the pleasure of working on. Working in the AD department as a trainee allowed me to gain insight into all departments and learn so much from the talented and friendly cast and crew. It cemented my love for the problem-solving of filmmaking, and I’m proud to have worked on such a beautiful gem of a film!”

Caitlin Keyland (BA Hons Filmmaking, current Level 6 student) adds:

“Whilst working on this production, I learnt about how departments work with each other on a larger scale. I also learnt more about camera equipment and rigging. This has been an invaluable experience.”

MetFilm credits

The production showcases a wide range of contributions from across the MetFilm community.

MetFilm staff who worked on the film:

• Producer – Diva Rodriguez (Lecturer)
• Production Designer – Sam Babrovskie (Lecturer)
• 1st Assistant Director – Matthew Boone (Course Leader)
• 3rd Assistant Director – Tomas Manchester (Deputy Course Leader)
• Stills Photographer – Harvey Mountford (Lecturer)
• Production – Rowenna Baldwin (Lecturer)

MetFilm students who worked on the film:

• Casting Assistants – Federica Taddeo, Sean Ramsden (BA Hons Filmmaking Class of 2024)
• Grip Trainee – Caitlin Keyland (BA Hons Filmmaking Level 6)
• 2nd Assistant Director – Chloe Bush (BA Hons Filmmaking Class of 2024)
• Assistant Director Trainee – Philip McKeever (BA Hons Filmmaking Class of 2025)
• Production Coordinator Trainee – Woody Martin (BA Hons Film Business & Production Class of 2025)
• Art Department Trainee – Brody Scott (MA Screen and Film Production)
• Distribution trainees – BA Film Business & Production Class of 2025 cohort

Little Pains highlights a key part of the school’s approach, giving students direct experience on professional film sets. Rather than only learning in classrooms, students were able to step into active crew roles, such as camera trainees, assistant directors, and production coordinators, contributing to a live production and gaining genuine industry credits.

Discover our BA (Hons) Filmmaking course

Our BA (Hons) Filmmaking course will immerse you within a community of creative, collaborative practice where the art of filmmaking is at the centre. You will learn how to navigate the industry, supporting both the technical and creative filmcraft skills you develop throughout your studies.

Discover our undergraduate and postgraduate courses, come to an Open Day and meet our industry-active lecturers, and find out how you can gain real on-set experience while you study.