Once Upon a Time on the Siegfried Line
Aberdeen filmmakers bring a powerful WW2 story to life through Crow House Projects’ third Film Accelerator
Once Upon a Time on the Siegfried Line is a new short film created by the third cohort of the Crow House Projects Film Accelerator. Shot on location at the Gordon Highlanders Museum and Banchory Devnick, Aberdeen, the film tells a story of humanity found in the midst of war – inspired by a true story from the Second World War.
About the Film
Set during WW2, Once Upon a Time on the Siegfried Line follows a 51st Highlander on a mission to fetch water for his unit. Along the way, he encounters a lone German soldier in the trenches. Instead of fighting, the two discover a brief but profound moment of connection – a reminder that empathy can survive even in war.
The story is based on the real experiences of co-director Jake Newby’s great-grandfather, a Gordon Highlander whose story has now been brought to screen for the first time.
Filming in Aberdeen & ABERDEENSHIRE
Filming took place over five days across two key locations in the North East. For two days, the production was based at the Gordon Highlanders Museum, where the team transformed the museum’s Moffat Trench exhibit into the German front lines. Normally a visitor experience recreating British trenches, the set was refitted with period-accurate props, insignia, and equipment to portray the opposing side.
The museum’s curator, Jamie Hyde, advised throughout production to ensure historical accuracy — from uniforms and weapons to the smallest details that bring authenticity to screen.
The remaining three days of filming took place at Woodside of Ardoe, thanks to the generous support of landowner Neil McAllan. The site’s woodland and open terrain doubled as the German countryside, providing scope for the film’s exterior sequences and expanding the visual scale of the story.
Together, these locations grounded Once Upon a Time on the Siegfried Line in real local history and landscape, blending meticulous attention to detail with the creative vision of the accelerator cohort.
A Cohort Production from Crow House Projects
Once Upon a Time on the Siegfried Line was directed by Jake Newby and Matt Hielsberg, with cinematography by David Lee. But like all Crow House films, it was very much a collective effort. The third accelerator cohort — made up of emerging filmmakers, artists, and technicians from across Aberdeen — took part in every stage of the process, from concept to final cut.
The Crow House Film Accelerator offers a hands-on pathway into professional filmmaking. Each year, participants collaborate on a fully funded short film, gaining experience across all departments — directing, production design, cinematography, and post-production.
Now in its third year, the programme continues to build a sustainable filmmaking ecosystem in the North East of Scotland.
Community Support and Funding
Once Upon a Time on the Siegfried Line was supported through Aberdeen City Council’s Culture Investment Programme – Catalyst Funding, alongside generous contributions from Arrowdawn, Bruce McCommiskie, and Neil McAllan (Woodside of Ardoe).
The Catalyst Fund supports creative initiatives that strengthen Aberdeen’s cultural identity, encourage collaboration, and build sustainability within the local arts sector. This funding enabled Crow House Projects to continue expanding its Film Accelerator Programme, offering hands-on learning experiences and professional opportunities for emerging filmmakers in the region.
What’s Next
The film is currently in post-production and will be submitted to international film festivals before a public release on YouTube in early 2027.
Once Upon a Time on the Siegfried Line stands as a testament to what local collaboration can achieve — proving that Aberdeen’s filmmaking community is alive, ambitious, and ready to tell its own stories.
About Crow House Projects
Crow House Projects is a filmmaking initiative based in Aberdeen dedicated to building a thriving creative industry in the North East of Scotland. Through its Film Accelerator Programme, Crow House brings together emerging filmmakers, mentors, and industry professionals to produce high-quality short films — giving participants real-world experience and helping local stories reach the screen.