Seabird (2025)
Seabird is a short film about place, belonging, and the uncertainty of growing up. The story follows Mara, a young woman returning to her seaside hometown for a day, where she reconnects with Jack - someone who never left. Their quiet conversation unfolds on a beach, capturing a moment of emotional limbo as both characters face whether to hold onto the past or embrace an unknown future.
I produced this film without a producing team, taking on every part of the process from early development right through to distribution. Fundraising, budgeting, casting, scheduling, contracts, health and safety, even song licensing and festival research all fell to me. It was a huge challenge, but also the most rewarding experience I’ve had in filmmaking so far. I pushed myself harder than ever before, sending out over a hundred funding emails, building detailed plans and documents, and making sure the cast and crew always had a calm, supportive environment to work in.
Some of the toughest moments came with the locations. The beach we wanted to use was privately owned, so I spent weeks chasing leads, contacting councils, tourist offices, local businesses and eventually the custodian of the land. After two long trips down to the coast, we finally got the permission we needed. Even then, the beach was remote and difficult to reach, so I had to plan carefully to transport everyone and everything down winding country roads. Filming near the water also meant writing detailed safety assessments and making sure the whole team felt secure around both the sea and the equipment. Going through those challenges helped me learn to adapt fast and trust myself to keep a production on track, even when things get hectic.
What I love most about this project is what it represents. It was the most ambitious film I’ve worked on and the one I’m proudest of. The story speaks to the uncertainty of not knowing exactly where life is heading, something I think most people have felt at some point, and I’m glad I got to help tell it. The experience gave me confidence not just in my filmmaking but in myself. It showed me the value of staying organised, committed and open to others, and it confirmed that producing is a role where I can bring out the best in a team while still challenging myself creatively. As a reflection of the work I put in, I was awarded 80% for my producing portfolio, one of the highest marks in my year.
Seabirdshort
Seabird has been selected for two festivals so far, Bath Film Festival and Cinemagic Young Filmmaker, screening Nov 2025
BTS Stills by me