Alex is a mixed race Asian boy who is convinced that his recurring dreams, are actually memories, and is determined to prove it at any cost. In his mission to make sense of the otherworldly flashes he is experiencing, he discovers undeniable evidence that forces him to confront his mother. By the end of the night, what is revealed will change Alex’s understanding of his life forever.

I DREAM OF FLIGHT is a magical realism drama exploring memory; how it affects the ways we see the world and who we can be in it. It weaves together themes of identity, grief and healing.

THE WORLD

The story takes place in the 00s, in a parallel world where 10% of the population have powers. We see both Alex’s internal world (during flashes, dreams and sensory overloads) and his external world blurring into one, questioning our ability to believe in a single version of reality and the impossibility of objectivity.

Magical realism is naturally woven into the story, think the moment where everything freezes in THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD (2021) by Joachim Trier, with the child’s perspective of HONEY BOY (2019) by Alma Har’el and the contemplative nostalgia of AFTERSUN (2022) by Charlotte Wells.

THE FILMMAKERS 

Rosa Escoda - Director

Rosa Escoda has over a decade of experience across theatre, tv and film as an actor. She is best known for her recurring role as Amanda in the BBC series LINE OF DUTY (2019, 2021). She went on to play a pivotal part in award winning feature BOILING POINT (2021) directed by Phil Barantini. Next, she will be appearing in Stars of Tomorrow 2024 winner Thea Gajic’s debut feature SURVIVING EARTH.

A Dream of Flight will be her film directorial debut.

Matt Lewis - Director of Photography

Matthew Lewis is an award winning cinematographer. In 2021, he won the British Independent Film Award for Best Cinematography for his work in BOILING POINT.

ADOLESCENCE, his most recent project, is the most watched UK title on Netflix ever and the continuous one shot format is an essential element of the show's visceral impact.

He is currently on set for his next feature, ENOLA HOLMES 3.

Neil Westley - Writer

Neil Westley co-wrote the critically acclaimed short film The Truth About Stanley with co-writer/director Lucy Tcherniak (The End of the F*cking World, Station Eleven), produced by Trademark Films. Neil's short film, Ice Cream, has Celia Imrie attached as the lead and he has recently completed his feature screenplay The Old Man and the Fox.

Benjamin Jacob Smith - Producer 

An internationally award-winning producer with work that has won a Critics Circle Award, nominated for a British Independent film award and long-listed for the BAFTA short film award.

His work traverses short film, theatre and XR/ VR storytelling, with a broad group of collaborators, and a wide range of narratives. Some work explores the transformative power of documentary; others push the boundaries of narrative storytelling. His work has been profiled at National Theatre, Tate Modern, Times square and BAFTA and OSCAR qualifying festivals such as Sundance, Tribeca, London Film Festival, IDFA among others.

Urs Furrer - VFX Supervisor

Urs Furrer’s work has received a multitude of accolades including Cannes Lions, Clios, Mobius Awards and LIAs and he continues to collaborate with top-tier directors and creatives to deliver award-winning films.

His work is finely-crafted and retains a sense of realism, despite the technicalities at play behind the scenes. Urs is especially drawn to projects where the visual effects are a seamless element of the narrative; where disbelief is suspended and escapism is encouraged.

FINANCING

I Dream of Flight is a poignant, visually striking and ambitious short film that combines rich storytelling with innovative camera and effects with an performance centred approach, set for major festival exposure.

We are currently crowdfunding for £15,000, having already secured major budget lines in kind (camera, HOD Deferred payments and post production) and are now offering the unique opportunity to take an active stake in the project’s success.

We are seeking contributions that will support a total production budget of approximately £19,500.

Total Budget: £ 19,500

(Budget estimations are pre tax and quotations, Raw Inventive reserves the right to adapt the budget as per the production's requirements)