The Flat Below is a British short psychological drama exploring the emotional residue of post-industrial working-class life. Set in a decaying council block, it follows Colin, an isolated elderly man with COPD, whose mental and physical health unravel as he becomes obsessed with the haunting sounds from the flat below. Blurring realism and psychological horror, the film reveals systemic neglect of older generations and the working class. (8-10 minutes).

Written and directed by Jay McNeil (Sleep, From Ferguslie).

This film is more relevant now than ever, shining a light on ongoing neglect in working-class communities and the often tragic, not-so-happy endings they may face. Representing half the population, these stories speak to a huge audience. Importantly, it reflects the changing, diverse face of Britain’s new generation while honoring the struggles of the working class. Your support will help bring this vital story to life.

As a working-class filmmaker, I aim to tell stories that confront British classism and social indifference. The Flat Below is rooted in the quiet tragedy of elderly loneliness and the systemic neglect of those who were once seen as the foundations of Britain. It’s a story of disappearance and of being left behind — a cycle bound to keep repeating.

The Flat Below is about what happens when people—and places—are left behind. It explores neglect in all its forms: crumbling buildings, forgotten lives, and a system that treats the working class as disposable. Colin is the product of this neglect, and his fear that no one’s listening only grows. It’s a story about being ignored for so long, you start to question what’s real and whether the problem is you, or the world that gave up on you.

A social realist psychological thriller, heavily stylised. The Flat Below plunges into isolation and neglect, weaving a tense, haunting atmosphere where reality blurs and the line between truth and fear dissolves.

We're aiming to raise £1,000 to bring The Flat Below to life. The budget will be allocated as follows:

Team: To ensure our brilliant cast and crew are compensated fairly, including the Director of Photography, gaffer, art director, and assistants.

Necessary Expenses: To cover location fees for an authentic setting, specifically, a council block, and essential admin costs. 

Art Department: To create a lived-in, atmospheric world through thoughtful art direction, props, and costume design.

Travel & Catering: To support our crew with local travel and catering, so everyone stays fed.

Jay McNeil

Jay McNeil is a writer, director, and cinematographer hailing from Burton. He studied filmmaking at Nottingham Trent and is currently completing a Master’s in Directing Fiction at Queen Mary University of London. Jay cut his teeth shooting local ads and has worked as videographer for live events. Coming from a working-class background, he’s drawn to character-driven stories that highlight working-class struggles. He is currently developing a short drama exploring these themes.

Laurence Mason-Guetta

Laurence Mason-Guetta is a director of photography with a keen eye for visual storytelling. He previously collaborated with Jay McNeil on Sleep, a dark comedy short currently enjoying a successful festival run, where his work as gaffer was key to the film’s striking visual style. Their creative partnership continues on this project, bringing the same highly stylised approach to a new story.

Calypso Lloyd-Davies

Calypso Lloyd-Davies holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy from University College London and brings sharp intellect and refined organisational skills to her role as First Assistant Director. While this marks her first major step into filmmaking, her academic background and natural drive make her an invaluable asset to a project exploring complex philosophical themes. Calypso brings clarity, focus, and a fresh perspective to the creative process.

Saar Zutshi

Saar Zutshi is a sound recordist and foley artist who frequently collaborates with Jay McNeil. They co-directed the Bulgarian-language short film Lessons in English, where Saar also served as sound recordist. For this project, Saar brings his extensive experience in both location sound and foley to enrich the film’s audio landscape.