A man and a woman wearing glasses taking a selfie together indoors. The man has dark hair, a beard, and is wearing a black jacket over a blue shirt. The woman has red hair, is smiling, and is wearing a black top.

Our Story

Celia & Garry

Co-Founders

Celia and Garry’s journey began where many stories do—film school, where they bonded instantly over a deep, mutual reverence for storytelling. They spent years working in the film industry, honing their technical skills in visual effects and production, yet often felt a disconnect. While they were immersed in the spectacle of entertainment, they found ourselves longing for something more grounded.

They realised they didn't want to create content that captivates for just twenty seconds of scrolling, only to be forgotten. They wanted to look beyond the "clickbait" and the blockbuster explosions to find the quiet, universal truths that connect us all. They wanted to tell stories that matter—stories about the resilience of the human spirit, about small communities facing great odds, and about how adversity often forges the strongest parts of who we are. Bobette Buster calls it "keeping the flame alive," and that became our guiding principle.

That introspection led them to found First Step Films and move away from projects that didn't align with their values to focus on capturing the raw, authentic human journey.

This mission naturally drew them toward charities and NGOs. They believe there are no better organizations that embody the selflessness and dedication they strive to highlight. They are honoured to partner with individuals who sacrifice their time and energy for something bigger than themselves, helping to translate their impact into narratives that resonate deeply.

But their passion doesn't stop there. They are equally dedicated to the art of scripted fiction. Through their script development services, they help writers hone their craft, peeling back the layers of their stories to find that nugget of truth at the center of the human experience. Whether they are documenting real-world challenges or crafting original fiction, their goal remains the same: to tell stories with people at the heart of them.

Our Credits

The Experience Behind First Step Films

Before First Step Films, our careers have taken us across some of the world's leading film and television productions.

Collectively, we've worked across productions associated with Netflix, HBO, the BBC, Marvel, Legendary Pictures and others, gaining experience across development, production and delivery.

We're bringing that experience to First Step Films — combining the standards and knowledge of the industry with our passion for independent filmmaking, emerging talent and stories that deserve to be told.