Liam James Collins and Scott Vickers the 'King of the Iron Will' HollyShorts - Interview
Filmmakers Liam James Collins and Scott Vickers talk about the world premiere of the 'King of the Iron Will' coming to HollyShorts on August 17, 2026.
I spoke with Liam James Collins and Scott Vickers about “King of the Iron Will,” their new 13 minute medieval short making its world premiere at the HollyShorts Film Festival on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. during the Period Piece block the the TCL Chinese 6 Theater. After our conversation, I am excited to see the film and even more intrigued by the possibility of a full length feature.
Written by Collins and Vickers and directed by Vickers, King of the Iron Will follows King Baron as he confronts the defeated tyrant King Draven, the man responsible for the massacre that shaped his life. Their encounter becomes a battle of words and wills exploring revenge, power, legacy and the danger of becoming what you fought to destroy.
Set in a brutal medieval kingdom and written entirely in Shakespearean language, the film uses its heightened dialogue to explore timeless questions about leadership, justice and power while keeping the emotional stakes immediate.
Collins wrote, produced, executive produced, financed and stars in the film. Raised in a working class family in South East London with no family connections to the arts, he created the project as a personal artistic statement and an opportunity to make ambitious, performance driven cinema. He filmed inside two historic Scottish castles and trained extensively in horse riding and sword fighting for the role.
Vickers, the award winning filmmaker behind Matriarch and a former actor, brings a performance focused approach to the material. Together, he and Collins shaped the story into an intimate confrontation with the scale and atmosphere of historical epic.
Charlie Creed Miles stars as King Draven opposite Collins as King Baron. With performances spanning more than three decades, including Nil by Mouth, The Fifth Element, Wild Bill, Harry Brown and Peaky Blinders, Creed Miles brings gravitas and complexity to the fallen ruler.
The creative team includes cinematographer Robbie Jones, editor T.W. Leshner and art director Ellen De Faux. Angels Costumes supplied the period wardrobe, with music by Lady Maisery, Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith.
At just 13 minutes, “King of the Iron Will,” packs considerable ambition into a compact story. Its themes of revenge, power, class and oppression feel substantial enough to support a much larger narrative.
“King of the Iron Will,” makes its world premiere at HollyShorts on Monday, August 17, 2026, at at 2:30 p.m. during the Period Piece block the the TCL Chinese 6 Theater.
To purchase tickets for the world premiere of “King of the Iron Will,” at HollyShorts visit: https://hollyshorts2026.eventive.org/schedule/6a4c4c72062e6fa204991c8a.
Follow “King of the Iron Will,” on Instagram @kingoftheironwill.