What We Do

Long Form Projects

Music Video

HLA Classics

HLA is one of the most highly regarded independent production companies in London.  We make all forms of branded content, including TV advertising, documentaries and music videos.  Since 1987 our creative-first and craft-focused approach to filmmaking has seen us win every award going.

 

About

The HLA Family is a group of creative and dedicated people who have worked together for a long time. Over the years we have resisted representing lots of directors and have chosen to remain small and focused with the few we really believe in. We know what our qualities are and don’t chose to spread them too thin. We have an unrivalled reputation as a highly respected Production Company in London for the past 30 years and intend to keep it that way whilst continuing to enjoy our work. Trust and respect are key elements to our working philosophy, work with us and you will work with a truly dedicated team of people who care.

EXPERIENCE

Established in 1987 we began our life in music video production and were quickly picked up by the advertising industry to work with leading brands. This then lead to work with Channel 4 on youth programming, short films and lots more. HLA has been producing top quality advertising work, music videos and long form projects during all this time.

At HLA we can turn our hand to anything – and often do! Check out some of our documentaries, installations and content work here…

Alex Lewis MOUNTAIN (2022)

A 95 min feature documentary that follows quadruple amputee Alex Lewis as he sets out to prove to himself, his son and the rest of the world that anything is possible by climbing Ethiopia’s highest mountain using the world’s first, off-road, solar-powered, mobility hand cycle.

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Director: Simon Ratigan

Missile from the East (2021)

A 90 min documentary which tells the true story of Ernst Degner, the East German motorcycle racer who risked his and his family’s lives to escape from behind the Iron Curtain and win the World Championship with Japanese manufacturer Suzuki. Winner of the Beverly Hills Film Festival’s highest honour, the Golden Palm, and also Best Producer award for Mike Wells and Nick Taussig.

 

Director: Justin Stokes
Produced in association with Salon Pictures and Night Train Media. Worldwide distribution by Abacus Media Rights.

Moving Half The Mountain (2015)

A 60 min documentary exploring the the building of the Thai Burma Railway during WWII. Surviving Allied POWs and Japanese railway guards reflect for the first time on the memories that don’t leave them. Nominated for a Grierson Award 2015. UK broadcaster – BBC. International Sales – Banijay Rights.

 

Director: Helen Langridge

Helen's Song (2018)

In this 60 minute documentary we explore the power of music and healing through the choir Woven Gold.

 

Director: Helen Langridge

Poems That Make Grown Men Cry - Julian Fellowes

Ben and Anthony Holden created this wonderful book and with Amnesty asked us to film contributors discussing why certain poems move them to tears.

 

Director: Helen Langridge

Poems That Make Grown Women Cry - Juliet Stevenson

Following the great success of ‘Poems that make Grown Men Cry’ it is the turn of the ladies to tell us their most moving poem.  Joining Juliet Stevenson are Edna O’Brien, Maureen Lipman, Anne Reid and Sunny Jacobs.

 

Director: Helen Langridge

Johnnie Walker - The Walk

The amazing talent of award winning actor Robert Carlyle is tested in this one continuous take informing us of the wonderful heritage of the Johnnie Walker Brand.

Method Actor

The Shakespearean actor John Shrapnel delivers a stellar performance in Justin Stokes short Film ‘Method Actor’.

Expo Zaragoza - Water For Life

Tomato’s Simon Taylor and our Mike Wells convinced the Spanish Government that HLA could produce 72 individual films exploring the themes of Water for Life. These were then displayed as installations within the signature buildings at the EXPO site in Zaragoza.

 

Director: Simon Taylor
Producer: Mike Wells

Belstaff - For The Open Road

Motorbikes and their riders have always been central to this brand and here in this short film we celebrate this relationship.