A KENDAL filmmaker is seeking funding to get his new, gothic horror film off the ground.

Weekend on Rothay Isle (working title) will be the second feature-length flick by Elliott Léon.

The film will track the events that transpire after a university medical instructor invites his prize graduates to a fictional island in the Lake District.

The soon-to-be medical professionals eventually begin to suspect that their stay has not been planned for fun.

Mr Léon, 40, who has written the film and will direct it, said it would be a ‘psychological, gothic horror with an element of expressionism’.

He said there would be reference to multiple themes in the film, which is set in 1928, including black identity in the 1900s, shellshock, women’s liberation, Egyptology and mysticism.

“I’m a fan of gothic horror,” said Mr Léon.

“I like the psychological aspect of it as well as the set design and the decor you see in gothic horror films.

“I like the way it’s a device for exploring the human psyche.

“I have always wanted to make a film with those ingredients.”

He described the film as ‘Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein meets Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile’.

He is keen on the idea of creating a ‘cottage film industry’ in the Lake District revolving around films set in the area and starring its residents.

Mr Léon made his feature-length directorial debut in 2019 with HUMPS or: Grey Water, Green Eyes, a dark comedy that centred around fictional filmmaker Jeremy Clackhandle - played by Mr Léon himself - and his attempts to investigate the mythical ‘Bownessie’ beast which supposedly lives in Windermere.

He is seeking in the region of £4,000 to get his new film it off the ground and has already made just over a quarter of this from three investors, including the Staveley Roundhouse theatre.

Fliss Pocock, artistic director of Staveley Roundhouse, said: “It’s been a difficult time for the arts recently and we are delighted to be able to support Elliott and his creative and innovative venture.”

The money will cover costs such as hiring actors and costume and set design.

To contact Mr Léon about his newest film venture, email him at elliottjamesleon@hotmail.com