Independent filmmaker Ryan J. Smith has released his third feature film, Kid, made for just £4,500 and now available on Amazon Prime Video.
At only 27, the Manchester-based writer-director and MetFilm School graduate has built a reputation for crafting festival-ready films on shoestring budgets. His latest project, filmed across Manchester and Blackpool, captures the North’s creative scene with a story about ambition, family, and the pressures that come with both.
The 80-minute feature follows a rising music producer who secures a major record deal while trying to hold his family together. It premiered to a full house at the Manchester Film Festival, a BAFTA and BIFA-qualifying event.
Originally from Blackpool, Smith has carved out a space in British independent cinema through his Skint Film Company. His previous features, Lottery and Talking to Ghosts, were produced for under £7,000 and went on to achieve international distribution through streaming platforms. Kid continues that track record and marks his first co-production, supported by Silent D Pictures.
“The film is about pressure,” says Smith. “Pressure to succeed, to deliver, and to care for the people closest to you. We worked with a lean set-up so the story could stay in focus.”
The film also explores a storyline centred on endometriosis, highlighting its impact on fertility and family life — an element Smith says was inspired by conversations with women he knows who have lived with the condition.
Smith credits MetFilm School with helping him establish his filmmaking foundation, from his award-winning documentary Red Light Solo to his current feature work. “The training gave me the grounding to move quickly,” he says. “I still use those lessons every day.”
Kid is now available to watch on Amazon, Google Play and YouTube Movies.
