AceShowbiz - Actor-turned-filmmaker Pippa Bennett-Warner (known for Gangs of London) has unveiled her directorial debut, the powerful short film 22+1, at the recent London Film Festival. Co-produced by EON Productions, this impactful project, co-created with writer and producer Pippa Vosper, aims to shed crucial light on the urgent Black maternal health crisis.

Bennett-Warner expressed her ambitious vision for 22+1, stating, "This film should be in everybody’s homes. It should be super accessible. Our absolute goal would be a streamer like Netflix." This desire for widespread reach underscores the critical nature of the film's subject matter, driven by a unique set of ambitions shared by both Bennett-Warner and Vosper.

The narrative of 22+1 was penned by Bennett-Warner and Vosper alongside screenwriter Kefi Chadwick (Rivals). The emotional core of the story is deeply rooted in Pippa Vosper's personal experiences and extensive research. As a veteran writer and fashion editor, Vosper not only produced the film but also conceived its original idea, drawing inspiration from her 2022 book, Beyond Grief: Navigating the Journey of Pregnancy and Baby Loss. This profound work was written in the aftermath of the tragic loss of her son, Axel, who was born at 20 weeks in 2017.

The five-year journey from concept to screen for 22+1 highlights the dedication of its creators to bring this vital conversation to the forefront. The film's presence at the London Film Festival marks a significant step towards achieving its goal of greater accessibility and public awareness, hoping to spark essential dialogue about systemic issues within maternal healthcare affecting Black women.