STAR WARS: ORIGINS is a thrilling action-adventure film drawing inspiration from both STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES to tell an epic story based on Earth during WWII.

Filmed in the Sahara Desert, Morocco, STAR WARS: ORIGINS is the culmination of three years’ work made by an award-winning team, and life- long STAR WARS fans; writer/director Phil Hawkins and Executive Producer Gary Cowan of Velvet Film Production.

After the release of Star Wars Origins, Writer/Director Phil Hawkins sits down with us and reflects on the success of the film one month on.

How has the response been since the release of the film?

“I’ve been blown away by the response to the film from critics and fans alike. The Star Wars fan community can be a divided one so to have created something that seems to have captured the imaginations of all generations of fans has been lovely to see. It was a big risk to not only make the film but to tell a unique story and fans have really embraced it.

Has this film opened many doors for you?

The film was only launched a few weeks ago but I've already been getting some brilliant feedback from a bunch of top-level producers and companies... one, in particular, is one of those 'once in a lifetime' emails that I never would have received if I hadn't made the film. Knowing that some of your idols have watched and actually liked the film is a little mindblowing! I'm already heading out to LA soon to take some meetings so that's all pretty exciting.

Do you wish to make more fan films?

I'll make one with $100m that's feature-length! I mean, if I ever got the chance to be a small part of one of the franchises I love then I would be kinda making a fan film... just on a much larger scale and not with my own money! But no, I'm not planning on making another as much as the fans would like one. I don't think my exec producer Gary Cowan is crazy enough either... although we do joke about what we'd tackle next as it was a lot of fun. As a filmmaker though, I set out to make a film that encapsulates what I love about these films, the genre and my skill set as a director and I think I've done that. I don't think they'd be anything to gain by doing it again.

What were your expectations prior to the release?

I just hoped people would watch it all the way through until the end because the big twists/reveals come in the 2nd half. You're rewarded by sticking with the story. With YouTube attention spans, getting people to engage in a film that's 21 minutes long is a big ask when there's always something to else to click on. I'm the same... you're much less forgiving compared to sitting in a cinema as a captive audience. I wanted the film to have the pace of a classic action-adventure movie and that goes against probably every "rule" of creating content for YouTube. But I'm so pleased that people have invested that time to watch the whole story - and many have multiple times! So, maybe I shouldn't have worried.

What was your proudest achievement regarding this film?

It's probably an obvious one but just actually getting it made. There were so many challenges, delays, logistical issues etc along the way that sometimes when you're alone in your office at 1 am working out another plan it feels like the film will never get made. Obviously, I couldn't do it alone so the folks at Velvet Film were a massive help and support throughout the process. I wrote the film without restrictions as if I had an unlimited budget actually not knowing how I'd be able to pull off certain sequences. I expected some of the big ones to diluted in the process of making the film as practicalities set in but I'm proud of the fact that we never did. It's not often you can say you made a film without compromise and that's something everyone who was involved in making the film can be proud of.

The film was released on the 12th of December on YouTube and has gained over 170,000 views in counting. The film, just like the trailer received universal acclaim by publications and fans:

"Impressive" - /Film

"A spectacular, whimsical, and entertaining film" - FirstShowing

"A must for any Star Wars fan... keeps you gripped from start to finish that will blow you

away" - Blazing Minds (5 Stars)

"A work of art" - Back To The Movies

5 STARS - David Reviews

"Incredibly well-made and thrilling to watch from start to finish" - ScreenRant