How it went: No Budget No Script No Permission premieres in Soho | My Soho Times

London’s autumn event calendar is now in full swing as the days shorten and the nights lengthen. It’s the perfect time to embrace the changing season and immerse yourself in the charm of a cosy film premiere. With a passion for cinema, Latoya Austin (@franglais27) shares her firsthand experience at the exclusive premiere documentary screening of No Budget No Script No Permission, which took place on Friday 29th September… Let’s delve into the details of this remarkable event!

No Budget No Script No Permission documentary premiere at Karma Sanctum Hotel

The setting is Karma Sanctum Hotel, Soho’s original rock and roll boutique hotel. Upon arrival for the 50-minute No Budget No Script No Permission documentary making of Gods of Their Own Religion screening, there’s already a buzz outside. Camera lights are flashing as guests and cast members pose for their picture in front of the film banner, bathed in Soho’s exciting neon glow, before entering the hotel doors.

Karma Sanctum seems like an ideal setting for a film which goes against conventions. Adding to its allure, the establishment pays homage to music legends like Jimi Hendrix and Amy Winehouse through a series of art works exhibited throughout the building. The hotel’s ground floor is home to the bar and restaurant, Wild Heart Soho. While the rooftop boasts a Jacuzzi, exuding a distinctively rebellious ambiance. However, for this particular event, it was the private cinema on the lower ground floor that we descended to for the documentary screening about award-winning director Naeem Mahmood‘s drive to realise his maverick vision against the odds, followed by a Q&A with Mahmood and lead actress Kyd Nereida.

My Soho Times supports the screening of No Budget No Script No Permission

The event, in collaboration with My Soho Times, was introduced by editor and founder, Kai Lutterodt aka The Soho Girl, who spoke about her connection to director Naeem Mahmood from when she first hosted a screening of his 2015 film Brash Young Turks during her university days at London College of Communication. Kai then introduced the film’s producer, Paul Chiedozie, who delivered a few words before the screening commenced.

No Budget, No Script, No Permission explores the journey of developing a London-based feature-length film created almost entirely on improvisation, shot during the adversities of the lockdown periods. The documentary portrays the dynamics of the individual actors and the cast who discuss their challenges and rewards during the making of the full-length feature film Gods of Their Own Religion. The result is a film that was shot in 19 days using guerrilla-style techniques and a zero-budget financing plan. The film embraces a ‘by all means necessary‘ strategy employed by award-winning director Mahmood to encourage the cast to work outside of their comfort zones and push themselves to the best of their ability.

As the title of the documentary alludes, the film was unscripted, and there were issues with filming in locations without sufficient permissions to use the location sites. These dimensions add to an intriguing-sounding genre film. The various excerpts from the cast and film team reveal the extremities faced on set to achieve those perfect shots, which included cleaning up blood on the Hatton Garden streets at 4 am! As such, this documentary is a riveting watch and demonstrates the team spirit, as the actors all believed in the project and were working for free. From the extracts shown within the No Budget No Script No Permission documentary, it is likely to have a cult following for a dystopian genre film with gore.

The post-screening Q&A

Following the screening, Kai Lutterodt of My Soho Times moderated the Q&A panel consisting of director Naeem Mahmood and lead actress Kyd Nereida. Kyd’s exuberant energy had translated well on the screen. Mahmood spoke of the difficulties in the film industry of having films funded and distributed but also in having control over a final product. The Q&A was well-organised, and audience members participated too. To end, Mahmood treated us to what we were all waiting – the full advance trailer for Gods of Their Own Religion. It was the perfect ending to entice us further into anticipation for the feature film’s UK Premiere on 16 November 2023 at the Cineworld, Leicester Square.

Refreshments and networking

A full bar service was available, as well as post-event complimentary refreshments, including Fhirst soft drinks. These refreshing soft drinks are available in three flavours: Cherry Vanilla, Passionfruit, and Ginger Mandarin, with zero sugar content, making them a good beverage choice. Snacks included the healthy yet extremely moreish Munchy Seeds. The packets, available in three flavours – honey roasted, warm cinnamon, and original roasted omega – were compact and ideal for consuming during the film. It appeared that these snacks were a hit with the audience members, as they were consumed rather quickly!

Fhirst, Munchy Seeds, and The King of Soho gin supported the screening of No Budget No Script No Permission at Karma Sanctum Hotel | Photos: My Soho Times

The post-screening networking session provided a valuable platform for socialising, engaging with fellow attendees, and facilitating meaningful discussions about the thought-provoking film. Additionally, My Soho Times conducted insightful interviews with audience members, allowing them to express their perspectives on the film. Notable guests and team members in attendance included renowned contemporary artists Neil Skinner (@angel_london) and Catarina Diaz (@catarina_diaz) who collectively worked on the films’ upcoming art exhibition, Sharoz Sheikh – the director and co-producer of No Budget No Script No Permission, blogger London Beautiful Life, and the evening’s host/MC Xara Vaughn.

Soho-based filmmaker Angela Fealy comment; “No Budget No Script No Permission is essential viewing for anyone thinking of making their own film. It’s a filmmaker’s Bible to no excuses, no limits and no rules.“

More networking continued on the rooftop terrace of Karma Sanctum Hotel, into the autumn night. It would be interesting to return to sample the food and dining experience. In the meantime, we will certainly enjoy the goodie bags courtesy of The King of Soho. Inside an own brand tote bag was a mini bottle of gin, as well as an Oyster card holder, which was certainly handy for that journey home from Soho after this impressive evening.

Share your thoughts in the comment box below!

Written by Latoya Austin @franglais27 | Photo credit: Kerry Murray @kerrymurrayphotography / My Soho Times

We’d love to hear your feedback, suggestions, comments. For partnerships, social media coverage and feature requests please email hello@mysohotimes.co.uk

Featured on the blog:

Get social with us – follow and tag us! @mysohotimes #MySohoTimes