A FILMMAKER who grew up in Denton is preparing to see his debut production make its world premiere in Canada.
And McKenzie Jones hopes his journey will inspire more young people from Tameside to pursue careers in the creative industries.
After attending Denton Community Academy and later studying at Clarendon Sixth Form College, he will see his film Void Supervisor screened for the first time at a festival in Ontario.
Now living in Salford, McKenzie graduated from the University of Salford in 2025 with a degree in Film Production and has since specialised in writing and directing.
Speaking to The Correspondent, McKenzie reflected on how growing up in Denton shaped his career: “I’ve always loved films and storytelling, but it wasn’t until I studied Film Studies at Clarendon that I realised it was something I wanted to pursue.
“At university I moved from learning about film theory to making films myself, and that’s where writing and directing really clicked for me.”
Before completing Void Supervisor, McKenzie also worked on a television pilot called The Youth Service, which was filmed in parts of Ashton-under-Lyne and Oldham.
He believes that while Greater Manchester has produced talented actors and filmmakers, many young people in areas such as Denton do not always see film as a realistic career path.
“I don’t think the opportunity to pursue filmmaking is something people always get to explore where we come from,” McKenzie added.
“I remember having a teacher at Russell Scott who encouraged us to tell stories through different types of media, including stop-motion animation. That early exposure showed me there were different ways to be creative.”
His latest project, Void Supervisor, is a 90-second micro short inspired by liminal horror.
The dialogue-free film follows the idea of someone literally working as a “void supervisor”, taking inspiration from everyday working life while exploring themes of routine and isolation.
McKenzie deliberately chose not to include dialogue, allowing audiences from around the world to enjoy the film regardless of language.
“Film has the ability to cross barriers of communication, culture and language,” he said.
“I wanted to create something that someone in Japan, India, France or Canada could understand without needing subtitles. It’s only 90 seconds long, but I wanted it to tell a story visually.”
The film has already received positive early reviews from critics, but its Canadian screening will mark the first time it has been shown to a public festival audience.
McKenzie submitted the film to several international festivals before receiving the news a few weeks ago that it had been selected for its world premiere in Ontario.
“It was an amazing feeling,” he said.
“We wanted to take the film to an international audience, particularly through horror festivals because that’s where we thought it would connect best. Canada has such a strong film industry, so having our first screening there is a brilliant opportunity for the whole crew.”
Looking ahead, McKenzie hopes to continue developing new projects while encouraging the next generation of filmmakers to simply get started.
“My biggest advice is just to go out and make something,” he said.
“Today you’ve got YouTube, online communities and even phones that can produce fantastic quality video. You don’t need expensive equipment to tell a story.
“Don’t let limitations stop you. Sometimes the things you don’t have actually make your films more creative. Keep making things, keep learning and tell stories that are personal to you. I think that’s what audiences really want to see.”