All Aboard for 'Movies on the Moving Mug'
Acton's double-decker cinema premieres Route 23 in aid of mental health
The Moving Mug bus in North Acton. Picture: Facebook
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November 20, 2025
The Moving Mug, a double-decker bus turned coffee shop and mobile theatre in North Acton, is to host the launch of a new short film series in support of mental health.
The debut event, titled Movies on the Moving Mug, takes place on Thursday 27 November from 7:30pm to 9:00pm, and will feature the premiere of Route 23, a heartfelt short film written and directed by Joshua Shea, best known for playing Young Newt in Fantastic Beasts.
The event is a collaboration between Tinman Productions, Munchie Lunchie Productions, and HFEH Mind, the local branch of the mental health charity Mind serving Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing and Hounslow. Tickets are priced at £5 plus £1 booking fee, with all proceeds supporting mental health initiatives across West London.
Fittingly, Route 23 was filmed on The Moving Mug itself, bringing the story full circle. The film follows Greg, a humble bus driver who takes a stand to save his local route from closure—an ode to everyday heroism and community resilience. The Moving Mug, now parked in Acton, was self-built by a group of young entrepreneurs from Kent who transformed a retired bus into a fully functioning café and theatre space. Their journey, which garnered millions of views online, was led by Luke Derbyshire, with support from friends Maddy Harris, Toby Jones, and Josh Jones, who dubbed themselves the “Professional Idiots.”
“This celebration of film is also a celebration of transformation,” said Luke. “We’re proud to raise money for HFEH Mind, a charity that’s supported different aspects of my life. To give back in such a special way is incredibly rewarding.”
The evening will feature a lineup of short films, entertainment, and networking opportunities, with submissions open to independent filmmakers who want to showcase their work in future editions of the series. The event also aligns with HFEH Mind’s Thirty for 30K Campaign, which aims to spark 30,000 conversations around mental health across West London.
“We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Munchie Lunchie Productions and The Moving Mug to host the premiere of our very first short film,” said Joshua Shea. “Route 23 is a story about a bus driver inspired to do something extraordinary, and we’re proud that the event will support the vital work of HFEH Mind.”
The event builds on the success of HFEH Mind’s Story Telling Studio, launched last year to support independent creators exploring mental health themes. The studio offers resources, funding, and safe spaces for vulnerable voices to be heard through film, poetry, and performance.
“We’re leading the creative charge across West London,” said Nicholas Smith, Head of Marketing and Communications at HFEH Mind. “Movies on the Moving Mug is another innovative way to bring storytelling and mental health signposting into the heart of our communities.”
For tickets and more information, follow The Moving Mug and Munchie Lunchie Productions on social media or visit their event pages.
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