My Journey Behind Influencer

By Nero Gilbert

I’ve always believed that stories have the power to transform—and for me, that belief began in childhood. I came to the UK as a refugee, carrying memories of displacement, uncertainty, and survival. Films quickly became my escape. They were more than entertainment; they were windows into other worlds, and often, a mirror for the emotions I couldn’t express.

Over time, storytelling turned into a calling. I worked on a range of English and Tamil films, slowly building my experience behind the camera. Each project taught me something new—about filmmaking, collaboration, and myself. Eventually, I felt ready to tell a story that was personal, bold, and honest. That’s how Influencer was born.

Originally, the film was going to be shot in the UK. But during early discussions, our Director of Photography, Siva Santhakumar, suggested Sri Lanka as a potential location. That one suggestion changed everything. Sri Lanka gave the film not just a visual richness, but an emotional depth we hadn’t imagined before. It was a bold move—and a challenging one—but the right one.

We made this project on a micro-budget, which meant working fast, staying creative, and constantly adapting. The shoot was intense: tight schedules, heavy rainfall, leech bites, and more than a few close calls. But despite it all, what kept us going was the shared belief in the story we were telling.

I was lucky to work with an incredible team. From the UK, actors Dan Holland and Flo Simpson brought so much commitment and emotional intelligence to their roles. We also worked with amazing local talent in Sri Lanka—artists who brought authenticity, grit, and heart to the screen.

None of this would’ve been possible without the support of our producer, Gnadas, whose tireless effort kept us on track, and Hari Shankar, who believed in the project enough to invest in it. Their trust and support meant everything during this process.

At its core, Influencer is a psychological thriller, but it’s also deeply rooted in personal experience. Growing up as a refugee, and later witnessing how social media began to shape people’s lives, I found myself asking: What is the cost of being seen? What do we sacrifice for validation? Who are we when no one is watching?

This film is my attempt to explore those questions. It’s about identity, the curated lives we show online, and the sometimes-dark realities we hide behind the screen. It’s a story for anyone who’s ever felt lost in the noise of it all.

Making Influencer has been one of the hardest—and most rewarding—experiences of my life. I’m proud of what we created, and I’m even more excited to share it with all of you soon.