Meet Mollie Leivars | Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mollie Leivars and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mollie, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I grew up in Derby and Nottinghamshire in the UK and currently live in Kent. My family have always been my biggest supporters and I would not be the person I am today, nor would I be doing what I am lucky enough to do were if not for my parents’ support, guidance and backing!

I was badly bullied during my time at secondary school but it was also during this time that my mum had major surgery and my dad suffered a brain injury. This made for a very difficult few years that had a massive impact on me and it was a terrible time for my family and I but a time that I am incredibly grateful to have experienced due to the lessons that I learnt following.

I can honestly say I do not think I would have the passion that I do now was it not for what happened during those years and during my early teens! I was taught that your whole life can change in an instant so to grab every opportunity possible and to pursue what makes you happy. It also taught me that things can get better, I never would have imagined that I would have the opportunity to do what I’m doing now during that time and I think that, for me, it means that everything I am lucky enough to do means so much more!

I’m incredibly lucky to have the family that I do, my parents are the first people I go to with any news, they’re the first people to watch a new short film that I’ve made or to read the script for the first time. They’ve taught me strength, integrity and determination and showed me that no matter what, anything is possible.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I had been involved in the acting industry for a few years which had given me an insight into the industry before I decided to take the leap and create my first short film in 2019, when I was 15.

I quickly realised my passion for working behind the camera and knew that I wanted to highlight issues that young people face through visual representation, my goal was for one young person to be able to watch a short film of mine and feel as though they weren’t alone in what they were going through. The shorts were picked up by the local police force and I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to take them around schools and colleges in talks and workshops, using them as an educational resource.

I had no prior training or film education before I embarked upon my first short film so most of what I have learnt so far has been through ‘trial and error!’, there were a lot of practical challenges along the way with things like organising filming dates, funding etc but there were also personal challenges too. I had to overcome my lack of self-belief and still deal with imposter syndrome today!

Most recently, two of my short films have started their film festival run which is something that I have been able to learn so much from and has opened some very exciting doors for the future!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I currently live in Kent and moved here last September so I’m still exploring and finding out where everything is! I’d definitely recommend a visit to Canterbury, it’s lovely and around 40 minutes from me.

Recently went to Broadstairs and Viking Bay too which I loved, the beach is gorgeous and there’s so much to do whilst you’re there!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Aside from my family, Lisa and Tally are two people who have supported, encouraged and helped me both in regards to film but also personally too. They’re two people that I am incredibly grateful for and thankful for their support!

I met Lisa during my early teens, just before I completed my first short film. She backed me from the start of it all, gave me the confidence that I could achieve the things that I wanted to achieve and has championed everything that I have done since. Lisa is one of the first people I tell any news to, has inspired the passion that I have for working with young people and has taught me to stay true to myself, no matter what! Lisa has known me during some of the most pivotal years of my life, from teens to early adulthood, and has seen me at my best and at my worst. I have the utmost respect for her and for what she does and I’m very thankful for her advice and support. Lisa has massively influenced the person that I am today.

I have known Tally for just under 2 years and she is quite honestly one of my biggest cheerleaders. She watches every film, reads every article, listens to every interview and has been a huge support to me in all aspects of my life. We’re not very emotional towards each other and our friendship is mostly built up on sarcasm and jokes but I am incredibly grateful to her for everything she does and the support that she gives me, it means more than I will ever be able to convey.

Website: https://spiritproductioncompany.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollieleivars/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090756823589

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVD1JLanrVZXxschFmrRAgg

Image Credits
Mollie Leivars Kinsale Shark Awards