About Us

Founded by Film and TV  industry veterans Len Collin and Carey Fitzgerald, in 2021, and based in  Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the UK. We believe in a more diverse and inclusive film industry that excludes no one. We believe that the best films, the most watchable television series and the most involving documentaries all have one thing in common. A creative with a vision at the start of the process. This creative is usually a writer and it often starts with the jotting down of an idea on any piece of paper to hand, the writing implement of choice - a ballpoint pen. Hence Ballpoint Films.  We want to work with creatives to take those embryonic ideas on to full production and beyond. Because making the film is only the start of the journey.

Len is a writer, director and producer, best known for his work as a writer on prime time TV series in the UK and Ireland such as Soldier Soldier, The Bill, Ultimate Force, London's Burning, The Clinic, Deception, Casualty, Holby City, Eastenders and the award winning web series Covies which he also directed and produced. His feature film Sanctuary (2016) explored a love story between a man with Down's and a woman with epilepsy, it was cast authentically using the wonderful actors from Galway's Blue Teapot Theatre Company based on the play by the same name written by Christian O'Reilly. The film was critically acclaimed and has sold around the world. It won Len the accolade of Best Director at the Newport Beach International Film Festival in 2017 and Sanctuary won best film at the Breaking Down Barriers Film Festival in Moscow in 2018. As well as Best Irish Film of 2017 as voted for by the Dublin Film Critics Circle. The Michael Dwyer Discovery Award for the cast at ADIFF 2017 and Best First Irish Film at the Galway Film Fleadh 2016.

Len's latest work Altered Thinking (2020) is a documentary about the representation of disability on our film and television screens through the lens of people with intellectual disabilities, and calls for amore progressive response from the industry to the issues surrounding disability representation.

Len is a regular contributor to film panels around disability and film. He was also very proud to be a Jury Member for the 25th Camerimage Film Festival in Poland for Best Cinematography in a TV Series.

Len is also a lecturer specialising in screenwriting and teaches on the Film and TV Production course at Northumbria University.

Len is not only passionate about his writing but also about new writers and the potential of opening up new worlds to audiences by embracing diverse talents and employing inclusive work practices. Len also wants to form stronger links between the academic sector and the industry to ensure students are industry ready.

Carey is a Film & TV Entrepreneur, Producer, Business Mentor & Lecturer in Film & TV with a long history in all areas of production, distribution, advertising, financing & global sales and marketing. Drawing on decades of experience at the industry coalface where she is still actively involved,  she is regularly called upon to create bespoke workshops and training in all areas of film and television production and distribution. She is a regular panellist and moderator at domestic and international events for organisations such as Mip Markets, the Galway Film Fleadh and IndieCorkFilm Festival as well as delivering workshops and training for media institutions such as Escuela Internacional de Cine & TV Cuba, Seville Film Festival Spain, The University of Hertfordshire, Ficci Frames Mumbai and Sunderland University to name but a few. She has mentored mid-career women for WIFTV and is currently a business mentor for Screen Skills Ireland. In addition to Ballpoint Films she is the Managing Director of Irish production, distribution and training organisation, Silver Mountain Productions.