Talent may be a gift, but it needs a path. Such is the dilemma facing such a person in director Arabella Arabia Burfitt-Dons new indie drama FINDING MY VOICE.
Working from a screenplay by writer and co-producer Donna Taylor, FINDING MY VOICE chronicles the trials and tribulations of Melanie (Anais Garnes), the elder sibling of four and providing as much support as she can to her mother Lisa (Michelle Ryan, in fine form).
It looks like she has a path to better things away from the tough streets of London at the prestigious Highbury College of Music given her evident singer-songwriter attributes. However, the commitment to looking after her siblings whilst trying to balance practice time virtue yields a bad family moment, which subsequently leads her to be pulled from pillar to post in various foster homes with the help of Simon (Nick Moran) and Jane (Rachel Warren).
At one such place, she bonds with outgoing fellow foster child Freya (Lily Harvey) who learns of Melanie’s talent and puts her up for an audition in Scotland on a BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT-like showcase to be seen on TV.
Freya however seems to have a much darker solution to help her get where she needs to be, which in turn leads Melanie to show further concerns about where her place is in the world amidst her own emotional and personal troubles….
Involving drama which is reminiscent of CODA in terms of the tough family challenges that people of all cultures and backgrounds will face at one time or another. A great ensemble cast of British actors, both familiar and unfamiliar (coupled with one surprising but brief cameo appearance from a much-loved name), help lead this film along a dark and tough path which heightens a great narrative, with all the key elements in place.
Anais Garnes does bring back memories of Jennifer Beals‘ wonderful performance in Adrian Lyne‘s FLASHDANCE (1983) as a tough girl of the streets leading a double-life but keen to secure the right singular one.
Michelle Ryan also acquits herself very well in a role that demonstrates a mature, supportive role as the troubled mother. Moran and Warren do well in their roles and also look for reliable character actor Sean Cronin (who has been in the likes of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE and THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH).
FINDING MY VOICE does have the potential to be a solid indie on the festival circuit and once again demonstrates what can be achieved with contained resources.
FINDING MY VOICE plays as part of the October Edition of London Independent Film Festival on Sunday October 4th, 2026 at 8PM, which will also include a Q and A with key production members.
Tickets can be found here: