COLD MIND WRAPS PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY IN PORTUGAL

Director Simon Hunter has completed principal photography on his latest feature film, COLD MIND, with the psychological thriller now in postproduction and scheduled for completion in spring 2027.

Filming wrapped in October 2026 following an ambitious shoot across the Algarve in southern Portugal, bringing together an international cast and crew for a production featuring extraordinary locations, complex action sequences and atmospheric cinematography.

Shot on the ARRI ALEXA 35 with Cooke lenses, the film takes audiences into a dark world of psychological tension, mystery and suspense.

Production took place across a diverse range of locations, from spectacular contemporary villas overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to remote coastal settings, atmospheric interiors and even deep underground in a working salt mine.

The production also involved challenging night shoots, dramatic action sequences and carefully choreographed scenes, all designed to deliver a visually striking cinematic experience.

AN INCREDIBLE INTERNATIONAL TEAM

The film brought together a talented international cast and crew, with production teams working across multiple locations and a dedicated second unit helping to capture additional material.

Director Simon Hunter commented:

“COLD MIND has been an extraordinary experience. We set out to make something ambitious, atmospheric and visually exciting, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved. We had a fantastic international crew who brought enormous energy, creativity and commitment to the production. From filming deep underground in a salt mine to some truly spectacular coastal locations, it’s been a remarkable adventure.”

Hunter added:

“Making a film is always a huge collaborative effort, and I’m enormously grateful to everyone who helped bring this project together, both on set and behind the scenes. Now comes the exciting process of shaping everything we’ve shot into the finished film.”

POST PRODUCTION UNDERWAY

With principal photography complete, COLD MIND has now entered postproduction, where editing, visual effects, sound design and the film’s original score will bring the next stage of the story to life.

Building on the original COLD MIND production, the feature expands the story into a larger cinematic experience, combining psychological suspense with a distinctive visual style.

COLD MIND is scheduled for completion in spring 2027.

Further announcements, including behind the scenes footage and the first official teaser, will follow as the film moves towards completion.

COLD MIND – TWO DAYS TO GO AS PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY NEARS COMPLETION

Principal photography on the psychological thriller COLD MIND is entering its final stages, with just two days of filming remaining.

It’s been an extraordinary few weeks of filmmaking, with a demanding shooting schedule, ambitious locations and an incredible international cast and crew bringing the world of COLD MIND to life.

From the eerie depths of an underground salt mine to atmospheric night shoots, dramatic interiors and complex action sequences, the production has been an exhilarating journey.

The film, which continues the story established in the original COLD MIND, has presented some exciting creative and technical challenges, with striking cinematography, carefully choreographed sequences and a strong emphasis on building tension and atmosphere.

Director Simon Hunter comments:

“It’s been a fantastic shoot. We’ve had some incredibly ambitious scenes to pull off, often in challenging locations, and the cast and crew have been absolutely extraordinary. There’s a real sense of excitement as we approach the finish line, and I think we’re creating something very special.”

With the final two days ahead, the production is preparing to wrap principal photography before moving into the next stage of bringing the thriller to the screen.

Two days to go. One final push. And plenty more to come from COLD MIND.

Behind the scenes: Cast and crew prepare for another atmospheric night shoot on COLD MIND.

Police vehicles draw up at the crime scene.

SHOOTING STARTS ON SIMON'S LATEST FEATURE IN PORTUGAL

COLD MIND BEGINS PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Director Simon Hunter returns behind the camera as production gets underway on the ambitious new psychological thriller.

Principal photography has officially begun on COLD MIND, the new feature film directed by Simon Hunter, with cameras rolling from Saturday, 10 October 2026.

Filming is taking place in the Algarve, Portugal, as the production brings the next chapter of the COLD MIND story to the screen.

Following the successful completion of the original pilot, the project has evolved into a feature film, expanding its dark and unsettling exploration of artificial intelligence, human psychology and the increasingly blurred boundaries between technology and the human mind.

Directed by Simon Hunter, whose previous feature credits include Lighthouse, Mutant Chronicles and the critically acclaimed Edie, COLD MIND combines a gripping psychological mystery with a visually distinctive cinematic approach.

The film reunites Hunter with producers Vanda and Alex Everke, building on the creative foundations established during the original production.

Shot using the ARRI ALEXA 35, the film promises a striking visual style, combining atmospheric locations, carefully constructed imagery and an unsettling sense of tension.

Hunter has spent the preceding weeks working closely with the production team, developing detailed storyboards, camera plans and visual references for the film’s more complex sequences.

With principal photography now underway, COLD MIND marks another exciting chapter in Hunter’s filmmaking career, bringing together an international cast and crew to realise an ambitious new feature thriller.

COLD MIND is currently in production, with further announcements to follow.

COLD MIND LOCATIONS

COLD MIND LOCATION SCOUT - OCTOBER 2026

COLD MIND GETS THE GREEN LIGHT FOR FEATURE FILM

Simon has headed to Portugal to shoot COLD MIND as a feature film.

Following the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the original pilot, the decision was made to take COLD MIND to the big screen and continue the story as a feature.

Shooting begins on October 10 2026 in the Algarve, with acclaimed cinematographer August Jakobsson ÍKS as Director of Photography and Mike Riley producing. The screenplay is written by Ross Jameson.

The feature will build on the world established in the pilot, taking the story and its characters to a bigger, more cinematic scale.

SIMON HUNTER DEEP IN POST-PRODUCTION FOR CRIME THRILLER COLD MIND

Simon Hunter is currently immersed in the intensive post-production phase of his latest high-end TV crime series, Cold Mind. The post-production work is taking place at Molinare Post in Soho, London, known for its high-quality film and television projects.

Visual effects for the series are being crafted by the acclaimed team at Gorilla VFX, operating from both Bristol and Cardiff.

The score is being composed by Hunter’s frequent collaborator, celebrated composer Debbie Wiseman, with the recording sessions held at the renowned Air Studios in West London. Fans are eagerly awaiting the show's release, expected to bring suspense and gripping drama to the screen.

COLD MIND STARTS PRE-PRODUCTION

Pre-production has started on Simon’s next project, the TV drama series COLD MIND, which Simon is show-running and directing. Principal photography kicks off on April 15, 2024. Simon will be joined by several of his regular collaborators, including Director of Photography August Jakobsson, composer Debbie Wiseman, and editor Olly Stothert. Simon will kick off directing episode one in April, with completion targeted for late September 2024. Simon commented, “This is far and away the best concept and script I’ve had the pleasure of directing; we might be creating something really special here.” More news as it happens. 

SIMON TO GIVE WORKSHOP AT ST. ANDREWS FILM FESTIVAL IN SCOTLAND

Simon will be giving a one day intensive workshop “How to make a Scottish Indy movie” at the St Andrews Film Festival in Scotland. The workshop takes place on Thursday 23rd November 2023 in St. Andrews. Elliot Grove the founder of the Raindance festival will join Simon on Stage on Saturday the 25th November for a Q&A about Elliot’s life running one of Europes most dynamic film festivals.

You can buy tickets to attend HERE

COMMERCIAL FOR BOSTON DYNAMICS AND TU UNIVERSITY

Simon returned to commercials directing in January with a commercial with BOSTON DYNAMICS, the US based Robot company and Dresden TU University. The movie is set in the Dresden Zwinger and compares 16th clockwork toys with the cutting edge technology of today. The idea being that Saxony has always been a centre of technology. The film will be able to view across German cinemas in 2023. The film is produced by German production company AVANGA.

PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY WRAPS ON CAN YOU HEAR ME?

Principal photography was wrapped on Simon’s latest feature film, the World War One love story, CAN YOU HEAR ME? The movie stars Sir John Standing, James Cosmo and Twilight star Peter Facinelli. The movie was lensed by EDIE DP August Jakobsson and shot on the new large format Alexa camera with Optimo and Angenieux prime lenses. The film is now in post production. Meanwhile Simon’s next movie edges closer towards a solid start date. His Norwegian character drama LET’S BE AWAY looks like it will shoot in Norway in October of 2023.

NEXT FEATURE FILM ANNOUNCED : CAN YOU HEAR ME?

We are really pleased to announce Simon’s net feature film. Set during World War 1 the ghostly drama is a haunting tale of love and grief set against the backdrop of an ancient country estate. The movie will be shot in Shropshire based at Upton Cresent country estate but will feature several scenes on the western front. The movie is being shot by Simon’s long time collaborator, DP August Jajakobsson. Principal photography starts March 1st. Downton Abbey’s Matthew Barber and John Standing (V For Vendetta) have been cast in supporting roles.

RAINDANCE 2021 TRAILER LAUNCHES.

Raindance has just released the trailer for their 2021 International Film Festival directed by Simon. You can also find this playing at Curzon cinemas in London.

SIMON DIRECTS THE 2021 RAINDANCE FILM FESTIVAL TRAILER

Shooting has wrapped on the 2021 Raindance Film Festival trailer. Simon returned again as the director of the commercial which will help drive interest in the world renowed festival. The shooting took place at the Soho Theatre in London’s west end. It features a story about a debut film director previewing her movie in a film festival for the first time.

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SIMON SIGNS ON FOR NEW FEATURE FILM

Simon has signed on for a new feature film project. Entitled “Can you hear me?” the movie will shoot in the UK (mainly Shropshire) from March next year. Simon recently completed a location scout for the movie. The film will be lensed by August Jakobsson who shot EDIE for Simon with a screenplay by Charlotte Radford.

The movie is a ghostly love story set during the horrors of World War One.

The movie is a ghostly love story set during the horrors of World War One.