Award winning film-makers are preparing to shoot their next title in and around Slough.

Richard Rowntree, 39, of St David’s Close, Iver, and his production company, Ash Mountain Films, rocketed to success last year with their film Dogged, that was funded largely through crowdfunding.

The film, a horror flick about a mysterious pagan cult on a distant island, won awards in film festivals here and abroad. The film won Best Horror at Glasgow Horror Fest, and Best International Horror at the Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival in New York. The film had five awards and 14 nominations in total.

Now, Mr Rowntree is preparing to shoot his next film, Nefarious which like Dogged will be filmed locally.

Mr Rowntree said: “The film is in the home-invasion sub genre, but at its core it explores relevant contemporary issues such as the class divide, mental health concerns and sexual manipulation.

“It’s told from the viewpoint of the people breaking in - these four people from a poorer background break into the house of a wealthy person, but get more than they bargained for when he starts fighting back.”

“Exteriors will be shot in and around Slough, and we’ll be building a set too locally. About 75 per cent of the film is set in two rooms, so we decided it would be easier to make those as sets rather than locations.”

Mr Rowntree and Ash Mountain Films are once again hoping to fund the movie through the generosity of the local community, with £20,000 being required to commence production. Two actors from the Henley area, Nadia Lamin and Abby Gillett, have been earmarked as two key members of the cast.

Mr Rowntree said: “We’re offering rewards for all backers, including digital downloads of the film (for £15), the chance to be an extra, the opportunity to promote your business and DVD copies of the film too, people who pledge can choose their own rewards.

“And pledges aren’t deducted from your account straight away, they only get deducted if we reach our £20k target.”

For more information visit their Kickstarter page at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1718939790/nefarious-a-home-invasion-horror-thriller-feature