Raine Allen-Miller | Director

Raine Allen-Miller | Director

(She/Her)

Bringing to life compelling characters in innovative stories with broad appeal is a driving force behind filmmaker Raine Allen-Miller’s creative vision. It’s certainly evident in her directorial debut feature, Rye Lane (BBC Film/BFI/Disney), a masterful romcom packed with universal charm and good humour, which received its world premiere at Sundance in 2023.

Given how accomplished Rye Lane is, it is surprising to learn that Raine initially believed filmmaking was as unattainable as “becoming Madonna”. Raine’s childhood was spent in Manchester’s Moss Side and then south London, where she won a place at The BRIT School studying art and design. Brought into contact with actors, performers and other like-minded souls, Raine discovered her interest in directing. But imposter syndrome can be a devilish thing, and Raine instead deviated into studying illustration. Thankfully, an early career in advertising – at the likes of Saatchi & Saatchi and Mother London – gave her the opportunity to collaborate on high-profile filmed campaigns and relit her inner fire for direction.

She left advertising to build up her own directorial portfolio of music promo and commercial work, before making her first short, Jerk (2018). This premiered at the BFI London Film Festival and captured the attention of BBC Film, which ultimately brought Rye Lane her way. Given the freedom to make the script more her own, Raine’s strong visual flair, smart choices and wry humour are emblazoned across the screen for all to see.

In their own words...

“No one says Love Actually is a white romcom, so I don’t think people should simplify Rye Lane that way either. To me, it’s a really broad film that anybody can watch because it’s about the human experience. I love films like that, films you can connect to, even if it’s very far from your own world.”

“I think about audiences a lot, because I want to make things that are quite broad. I’m looking forward to meeting people who do the same thing [through BAFTA Breakthrough], but in different disciplines, like television and games.”

Raine is currently writing a heist movie for BBC Films and has a television series in development.

Raine’s breakthrough credit is the scripted film Rye Lane

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