top of page

Director   |   Filmmaker

LOUIS
LINSEY

Louis Linsey is a theatre and film director who focuses on black comedy historical and political personalised stories. He is based in London and Los Angeles

IMG_6393.JPG

ARTIST STATEMENT

Louis is a writer-director whose work primarily explores black comedy-drama through historical and political narratives inspired by his own lived experiences. Drawing heavily on autofiction, his storytelling blends autobiography with fiction to create emotionally resonant and politically engaged works that examine identity, ideology, memory, and power. Whether writing for stage or screen, Louis is interested in finding humour within uncomfortable situations, using satire and dark comedy to challenge audiences while remaining grounded in authentic human experiences. Originally establishing his career in filmmaking, he has recently expanded his practice into theatre, bringing a cinematic sensibility to live performance while continuing to develop projects across multiple mediums.

 

Louis graduated with a First-Class BA in English Literature with Media and Communications from Newcastle University in 2020. His academic background fostered an interest in narrative structure, adaptation, and political storytelling, all of which continue to shape his creative practice today. Following graduation, he entered the film and television industry as an Office Runner at the television production company Lookout Point before progressing into the Video Department, where he spent six years working on a wide range of major international productions.

 

His professional credits include Paddington in Peru, Masters of the Air, The Sheep Detective, Citadel, and The Running Man. He has also worked as a Video Operator on acclaimed productions including The Crown and the forthcoming Harry Potter television series. These experiences have provided him with a practical understanding of large-scale productions and collaborative filmmaking, informing both his directing style and his approach to storytelling.

 

Alongside his work in film and television, Louis has increasingly developed a career in theatre. He recently worked as an Assistant Director on Dash Arts’ Our Public House, which is currently touring across the United Kingdom, and on Mary Elliott Nelson’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life during the Christmas season. He is currently undertaking a Master of Fine Arts in Stage and Screen Directing at the University of East London, where he continues to refine his artistic voice while exploring the intersections between cinematic and theatrical storytelling.

 

As a director, Louis has helmed several short films, including Ur Country Needs U, Cyril Offence, and Icarus. His work has received recognition on the festival circuit, winning the Best Drama Award at the Newcastle Student Film Festival and becoming a finalist at both the Small Axe Tolpuddle Radical Film Festival and the Walthamstow International Film Festival. In December 2025, he directed Duncan Macmillan’s acclaimed play People, Places and Things at The Source Theatre in London, further demonstrating his versatility as a director across different performance mediums.

 

Louis’ writing often combines biting satire with deeply personal subject matter. His debut full-length play, Hathaleen: The Unexpected Journey to Palestine, is set to premiere at Arches Lane Theatre in Battersea as part of the Camden Fringe Festival. A satirical black comedy loosely inspired by his experiences teaching English in the West Bank during the summer of 2025, the play explores cultural misunderstanding, political tension, and the absurdity of bureaucracy through an irreverent yet compassionate lens. It exemplifies his commitment to transforming personal experience into stories that engage with broader social and political questions.

 

In addition to his theatrical work, Louis is developing his debut feature film, Walk, Don’t Run, under his production company, Lost Picture Productions. Set in London in 1979 against the backdrop of the city’s vibrant music scene, the psychological thriller follows a small-time criminal and aspiring dub musician who unexpectedly joins a struggling ska band to complete their latest record. As his ambitions intensify, his desire for creative control descends into obsession, manipulation, and violence, blurring the boundaries between artistic aspiration and criminality. Production on the feature is currently scheduled to begin in March 2027.

 

Across both stage and screen, Louis is committed to telling politically conscious, character-driven stories that combine sharp humour with emotional honesty. His work reflects a fascination with the contradictions of modern society and the complexities of personal identity, aiming to entertain audiences while encouraging critical reflection on the world around them.

bottom of page