Born in Hounslow, West London, Kulbir Singh Maras (He/Him) studied Film and Literature at the University of Warwick where he began his career as a film writer-director. What began as a curious self-taught hobby, the storytelling medium of film grew to become a true passion. Kulbir has directed multiple short films and a music video and made his feature-length directorial debut with 'Between Us' in 2023.
In 2015, Kulbir’s journey with Heston West Big Local and Taz Virdee began. Kulbir and his friend set up an inter-generational ‘walking football’ club at Cranford Community College. It quickly became very popular within the community as it garnered support from the Middlesex FA, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and, more recently, Southall Athletic Football Club. 10 years on and the walking football club continues. During this time, Kulbir was working with Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, as he volunteered 100+ hours running sporting events and sessions. He then became a multi-sports coach under Brentford.
It was during this time, Kulbir also began to explore the hobby of filmmaking as he was studying GCSE Media and soon became inspired by his two female Media teachers, who were of a Punjabi background. Kulbir did a Spark! Talk discussing ‘The Power of Storytelling’.
But upon reflection, film had always been a part of his life:
“I’ve always been interested in films since I was a kid; I remember watching black and white films on TCM with my grandparents - my grandad enjoyed a lot of Clint Eastwood films. If it wasn’t that, it would be Punjabi or Bollywood films playing in the background. I remember projecting blockbuster Hollywood films on the walls at home and watching them with my sisters, so films have always been a part of my life.”
Kulbir then went on to study Film and Literature at the University of Warwick and graduated in 2021. During his time at university, Kulbir began to direct more projects as he grew from project to project. Kulbir directed his first short film with Heston West and Taz titled ‘A Silent Burn’ which he received the Big Local Film Talent Award 2019 from Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan. Kulbir then went on to direct '1001', Short Film Theatre Adaptation, with the original theatre piece being awarded a University of Warwick Research Prize 2021. Featured at First Bite 2021 online and the theatre piece successfully toured the UK. Upon graduation, he found a lack of opportunities in the film industry. He wrote a romance film feature screenplay, but was unsatisfied and wrote an anthology film screenplay during COVID in 2022.
He then re-partnered with Taz Virdee as they produced the anthology film, which was Kulbir’s directorial feature debut - ‘Between Us’ - creating an opportunity for himself and others involved.
“I approached Taz Virdee, of Heston West Big Local and C-Change West London in February 2022 about doing this film together. There was a lack of opportunities for me, or for someone of my background to get into the industry. Whilst there has been a push for diversity and representation onscreen in the film industry, there is still a lack of it behind the camera. Specifically those of a Punjabi background. So I directed this film, on a production budget of £7k, because I wanted to prove a point and attempt to get those in the industry to pay attention and grant those opportunities - talent is always there if you look hard enough. When filming, it was two people behind the camera: the sound recordist/boom operator and myself. So there was a focus on bringing in local London talent for this film.”
Kulbir is working on multiple projects:
Developing a short drama film based in Paris.
Drama short film - ‘Harleen’: ‘A British-Punjabi daughter looking after her elderly mother.
Recently developed a sports drama feature film screenplay.
