Every Place is for Me is a dark comedy exploring the many societal pressures faced by women, and what happens when we try to meet all of them.

It centres on Lydia, a woman who has always been at the top of the social hierarchy. She is young, thin, effortlessly attractive. The gym is her natural environment, but she’s just joined a new one which, it soon becomes apparent, follows a different set of rules.

Here, old women are the elite - they are the most fit, the most flexible, and the most desired. In turn, youth is invisible. As a woman entirely defined by external validation, Lydia is thrown into crisis when faced with her new lack of value. 

We watch with horror as Lydia becomes increasingly obsessed with competing with these older women, bending and breaking herself to fit into the values of their world. Ultimately, we discover that no matter how much women try to fit into society’s goalposts, it will never be enough.

The body has always been a site of society’s oppression and ever-changing expectations of women. From Tumblr starvation chic to strong but curvy, the goalposts are mercurial and malicious. Ageing sits within this landscape as the ultimate failure. No matter what, women must not get old.

Every Place is for Me questions this vilification of ageing, shining a light on how artificially constructed beauty standards are. Through lingering shots on wrinkled skin and softly lit close-ups of liver spots, we will frame and reframe signs of age as something to be desired.

By setting the film in a gym, the ultimate shrine to self-optimisation, we see the impact of social rules on a micro scale. As Lydia is pulled deeper into its gravitational force, so too is the audience. The tension hums beneath the surface and builds as the film progresses through lighting, music and, of course, Lydia’s body.

ORIEL WELLS - WRITER AND DIRECTOR

Oriel is a creative and writer from the UK, currently based in Lisbon. After completing a short course in screenwriting at NFTS, she wrote the script for Every Place is for Me, which was awarded as a Finalist in the Slick Films funding competition. Oriel has always been drawn to comedy for its ability to shine a light on and critique social systems in a way that feels accessible, enjoyable and memorable.

EMILY HARRISON - PRODUCER

Emily is a producer and filmmaker working in London. She has worked on content projects for brands, publishers and charitable organisations creatively producing commercials for the Guardian, VICE and the BBC. Emily co-produced "Pamilya" which played at SXSW 2024 and a number of other BAFTA and Oscar qualifying festivals. She is currently in development and pre-production with three more shorts due for completion in 2025. Emily is interested in bold creative concepts and film making that focuses on new ways of storytelling.

HELENA GONZALEZ - DOP

Helena is a Barcelona-born cinematographer based in London with a passion for storytelling, art, and photography. She graduated with an MA in cinematography from NFTS in 2023 and her work has been showcased at festivals including Hollyshorts, Rhode Island, Aesthetica, POFF Shorts and many more. Her short film Lacrimosa was selected by the AEC to represent Spain at the IMAGO 2019 awards. Most recently, she worked as the cinematographer for a mini-series produced by Vertigo Films for 3Cat, directed by Sandra Reina, director of El Bus.

Your contribution will fund a three-day shoot with a cast of six talented actors, location hire, catering, transport, post-production, and festival entry fees - ensuring the film reaches audiences and industry professionals alike.

We know there are many demands on your generosity, but we believe strongly in the power of film to tell important and underrepresented stories. This project is one of those - it raises vital questions around how women are valued and challenges societal expectations with nuance and creativity. By supporting us, you’ll be helping to bring a vital and resonant narrative to the screen.

We have already received £7,000 in direct funding, meaning that we are almost halfway to our end goal. Every donation, large or small, makes a tangible difference in realising this vision. To show our appreciation, we’ve prepared a selection of rewards to thank you for your support and for joining us on this creative journey.