2 days ago
Young Oldham filmmaker produces short film based on his childhood in care starring Corrie actor
ITV Granada's Entertainment Correspondent talks to new filmmaker Saleem Miah about his film 'Spice for Life'
A young filmmaker from Oldham has produced his very first short film starring a Coronation Street actor.
Saleem Miah's film 'Spice for life' is based it on his own experience of growing up in the foster care system.
His film, which is shot entirely in the North West, stars Coronation street actor Adam Hussain and Hollyoaks actress Kirsty-Leigh Porter.
The film is about a care worker who fails to bond with her foster son until they connect over cooking.
Saleem wrote, produced and directed the film which is being screened as part of Manchester Metropolitan University's 2025 Filmmaking cohort.
Saleem said: "I grew up in foster care myself, I moved about quite a lot. I grew up in Oldham, and I was placed with a lot of white families, which I think is quite like a unique, interesting. upbringing.
"I've always wanted to make a film about it. The story it's fictional, but a lot of the scenes in it I have kind of got from my own life, really.
"But I've been really lucky in the sense that I've met people along the way that have supported me."
He added: "I feel like people have assumptions, don't they, and they sort of assume that kids and care face, you're not very smart or, like, you're a troublemaker, you're not ambitious.
"I've always wanted to be an example of someone that doesn't sort of fit those stereotypes and it just proving that we can be just as good as anyone else at something and we can live through it like really good lives."
Saleem is a third year Filmmaking student from Manchester and is also a recipient of the RTS Beryl Vertue Scholarship, supported by Hartswood Films bosses Sue and Debbie Vertue, who mentor him.
He began his journey into the industry through a local BFI talent development scheme, going on to gain a place on the NFTS Film Academy.
The young filmaker is keen to dedicate his career to getting underrepresented voices on screen.
