Blackbirds

Blackbirds is a 15-minute UAL graduation short-film.

The story follows three generations of women trapped in a patriarchal household. As they secretly aid the mothers affair, hidden desires surface, leading them to a radical choice for freedom.

Scroll down on our page for more!

Fleur
Bardot
£2,394.00
raised of £7,500.00 goal
Funded
19 Backers
Genre
Drama
Scope
Short
Seeking funding for
Production
Campaign type
Flexible Funding
Support project
    Project

    Blackbirds

    Fleur
    Bardot
    Genre
    Drama
    Seeking funding for
    Production
    Scope
    Short
    Campaign type
    Flexible Funding

    Welcome to the Greenlit page for Blackbirds! We’re a 15-minute graduation film produced by students at UAL, and we’re excited to share our story with you.

    Synopsis:

    The film opens at night as a daughter discovers her mother’s mysterious absence. Clues like missing boots, glowing lights in the chapel, and her father sleeping alone raise questions. By day, the father’s relentless workshop noise underscores the quiet domestic routines shared by the women. 

    When the daughter finds an unfamiliar silver hairpin in the garden, suspicion grows, and she becomes obsessed with uncovering her mother’s secret.

    As tension builds, their once-close relationship begins to fracture. One night, driven by curiosity and doubt, the daughter follows her mother to the chapel and witnesses her in an intimate moment with another woman. 

    The next morning, the daughter confronts her mother—not with anger, but with understanding. She offers support, recognising her mother’s longing for connection. In the final moments, their bond is reborn as the daughter helps her mother keep the affair hidden, sharing an unspoken pact that brings them closer than ever before.

    Below is a short video of our director Emily Jones explaining a little more about the story!

     

     

    We would love your support in bringing Blackbird to life. Meet the team behind the film!

     

    Meet the team

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    Emily Jones - Writer & Director

    (In the center of the picture above)

    Emily is a young writer and director whose work consistently revolves around the relationships between women. She is driven and inspired by the political power of film and leans towards complex and reflective stories. She has always had a lot to say. She writes the majority of the projects she directs, and as a result has developed an intense care and involvement in every film she makes.

    Fleur Bardot - Producer 

    (2nd from the left, on the right of Emily on the image)

    Having previously produced one of Emily’s short films, Fleur’s collaboration with her feels like a natural fit. Emily’s story and directorial vision strongly align with Fleur’s values and passion for meaningful, politically-driven storytelling. Thrilled to work with such a talented team, Fleur is particularly excited about filming in the Southwest of France, a location that holds personal significance for her.

    Zoë Mara Dretar - Cinematographer

    (3rd from the left, behind Emily & Fleur on the image)

    Zoë, the cinematographer of Blackbirds, appreciates long takes that almost have a documentary-like quality, as they give the characters space to unfold. In this approach, the camera serves as an active observer, revealing different facets of the characters through their actions and interactions. Having worked on numerous productions, Zoë is excited to collaborate with Emily, as they both share a passion for absurdist and existential cinema.

    Kitty Kelly - Production Design

    (2nd from the right, behind Emily on the image)

    Kitty is an exceptionally talented production designer, known for her ability to bring entire worlds to life on screen. Whether constructing intricate sets in studios or designing costumes from scratch, Kitty’s work is rooted in creativity, using colour, texture, and environment to enhance the atmosphere of each scene. Having previously collaborated with Emily on her short film Swansong, Kitty has established a strong creative partnership with our director, making her an invaluable asset to the team.

    Katarina Jankovic - Sound Designer 

    (On the far right on the image above)

    Kat brings a vast creative vision to the sound design for Blackbirds, using silence as a powerful tool to underscore the oppressive atmosphere of the household and highlight the unspoken taboos. With professional experience as both a sound recordist and designer, Kat’s ability to craft immersive and meaningful soundscapes is exceptional. Having previously worked with Emily, Kat is thrilled to collaborate again on this promising short film, bringing her unique expertise to elevate the story.

    Jessica Thomas - Editor 

    (On the far left on the image above)

    Jess has been a key collaborator on all of Emily's short films, bringing not only her exceptional editing skills but also a deep personal connection as a close friend. Their strong complicity is evident in their creative partnership, allowing for a seamless understanding of the film's vision. Jess’s editing style will play a crucial role in shaping the pacing and dynamics of the family’s interactions in Blackbirds, enhancing the short’s emotional depth and intent with her nuanced approach to storytelling

     

     

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    The South of France offers the perfect backdrop for our film, and our chosen location is a gem. We’ll be shooting in a characterful 1970s farmhouse with a large, enchanting garden that even has its own chapel, and the Garonne River winding along the bottom of the property. This unique setting not only captures a sense of seclusion and timelessness but also brings an ethereal, and fairytale quality that beautifully aligns with our director Emily’s creative vision for the film. The location itself becomes a key character, amplifying the story’s mood and transporting the audience into a world tinged with both magic and tension - “A beautiful prison”, like Emily likes to say.

     

     

    We’re thrilled to be filming in Southwest France, near Toulouse, but bringing this vision to life will be a challenge without your support. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help make this project a reality!

    Here’s how your generous donations will directly support our production:

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    Transport

    We’ll be flying from London to France, arranging taxis, and renting a car to transport equipment from Toulouse to our location.

    Food & Catering

    Feeding a crew of 10 and a cast of 4 with breakfast, lunch, and dinner over the shoot won’t be easy on the budget. We’re also seeking support from local businesses to help with catering costs.

    Accommodation

    The team will stay at the charming Hotel Le Moulin in France for the duration of our 9-night shoot.

    Lighting Department

    We plan to rent lighting equipment locally in Toulouse, as this is more cost-effective than transporting it by plane, which would involve extra checked luggage and additional travel costs. This budget also covers the insurance required for equipment rental.

    Camera Department

    To bring our camera equipment into France, we need to issue an ATA Carnet through the Chamber of Commerce, which is an essential but significant expense.

     

     

    We can’t do this without your support! Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference and brings us closer to realising our vision. With your help, we aim to submit this short film to the most prestigious festivals, and your generosity will play a vital role in helping us create the best version of this project. 

    Thank you for being part of our journey!

     

     

    £2,394.00
    raised of £7,500.00 goal
    Funded
    19 Backers
    Egg

    “Thanks for cracking the egg open. We appreciate your help!”

    £5.00
    Brown Creeper

    This small woodland bird is ready to bring you along to the countryside!

    - We will be adding you to our "close friends" stories on Instagram
    - Shout out on social media story, stay in the highlights

    £20.00
    Yellow Warbler

    A Yellow Warbler symbolises mature trees. Help us grow our story to the same maturity:

    - We will be adding your name on the credits of the film as a contributor
    - Digital script (before the festival run)
    - Ticket to the online screening of the film
    - And all of the above.

    £50.00
    Crimson Sunbird

    These fast birds are the ones that will help us quickly get to our objective!

    - A special thank you email from the crew
    - The script as a piece of art
    - All of the above

    £80.00
    Blue Jay

    Become a bluejay and sing along to a story of womanhood.

    - A personal thank you from the director & the crew
    - Ticket to the screening, with a digital poster
    - All of the above

    £100.00
    Green Parakeet

    Build the bond between generations of women with the affection of a green parakeet.

    - Exclusive Digital copy of the film
    - Exclusive Q&A to the screening
    - All of the above

    £200.00
    BLACKBIRD

    Here we have it. The blackbird’s strengths make it a resilient and cherished species, admired both for its practical abilities in nature and its cultural significance. So thank you for the ultimate investment.

    - Post on our socials with your name/company logo if preferred
    - Executive Producer in the film credits
    - All of the above.

    £500.00