Saudade: A Portuguese word said to be untranslatable – a wistful nostalgia and longing for something lost, unattainable or fleeting.

WHY NOW?

In a hyper-connected society, genuine intimacy feels increasingly rare – especially for young people balancing anxiety with a longing for freedom and adventure.

SAUDADE is a wake-up call.

It invites us to be present in a desensitised world – to be open to other cultures, and vulnerable enough to truly connect.

SAUDADE, a 12-minute short film, will shoot in London in February 2026.

We're raising £8,000 to bring the film to life as a professionally produced, festival-ready short.

If you'd like to know more about the project, please contact Carlo at cinque.carlo10@gmail.com.

In a bustling London chicken shop, young Londoner, Max (20) meets the magnetic Brazilian, Clara (23) and they feel an immediate, overpowering chemistry. This has never happened to Max before.

But when Clara reveals she’s returning to Brazil in just 10 days, Max decides to take his chance and suggests they make the most of their time.

Without hesitation, Clara transports Max into her world, exposing him to Brazilian culture and expressing her saudade for home – he is mesmerised by her love for life.

It’s effortless: the two of them get lost in an intimate whirlwind, developing an electric connection over the course of 10 days.

But as Max struggles to truly embrace his feelings and open himself up to Clara, different worldviews collide and, what seemed like a once in a lifetime encounter, crumbles back to reality.

I believe saudade is a universal human feeling that deserves more exposure.

Through Clara, both Max and the viewer experience saudade from an authentic Brazilian perspective.

This film invites viewers not just to understand saudade, but to feel it.

Saudade is a uniquely ‘beautiful’ pain – a scar you come to cherish. It’s the proof that something mattered.

To ensure cultural authenticity across language, behaviour and perspective I’ve worked closely with a Brazilian cultural advisory group.

Ana Cláudia, Mariana and Nathaly are providing invaluable support to the story development, saudade’s portrayal, and the authenticity of Brazilian Portuguese dialogue and cultural references.

(left) Ana Cláudia da Silva - Associate Professor in Brazilian Studies at UCL for over a decade, Brazilian literature expert and writer.

(middle) Mariana Soletti - PhD candidate and Research Associate at QMUL, with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, and a Master's Degree in Theory of Literature.

(right) Nathaly Sabino - Actor and model portraying Clara (see cast for more). 

It's the intimacy of Before Sunrise, the cross-cultural depth of Past Lives, and the emotional reckoning of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Here's a playlist capturing the feeling and rhythm of SAUDADE – warmth, longing and movement.

Mood board gallery:

CREATIVE TEAM

CARLO FRANCIS

Writer/Director/Producer

After two homemade short films ('Fancy A Game?' and 'Turn Around', both 2020), three stop motion adverts for Brillder.com and over three years as a Learning Producer for ITZA Media making over 100 short educational films on sport, sustainability and space, I'm making my first budgeted narrative short. 

I’m deeply passionate about the richness of different cultures, telling cross-cultural, multi-lingual stories. This passion stems from being raised Italian and studying Spanish and Portuguese at UCL.

This was a lived story that I'm bringing to life. 

KIT POWIS PAGE

Director of Photography

Kit is a London-based cinematographer known for his sensitive, collaborative approach to visual storytelling. Calm, flexible and open to creative challenge, he helps create an environment where people feel at ease and moments can unfold naturally. His work is grounded in emotional intimacy and quietly observed moments – making him a natural fit for SAUDADE.

Kit's website

ANA MARIA DUMITRASCU

Creative Producer

Ana blends her care for storytelling with discipline and strategic thinking developed in tech startups. Her background in Comparative Literature and time living in Lisbon, makes her integral to SAUDADE’s development – shaping the script, scouting authentic locations, and transforming vision into production reality.

JAMIE SEECHURN + SOPHIE POWLES

Art Direction/Production Design/Costume

Jamie and Sophie are a creative art direction partnership combining their talents for 3D design, production design, and styling. Together, they create spaces and costumes that feel personal, considered, and beautifully expressive. Through colour, texture, and detail, they will shape two contrasting authentic worlds around the characters – the dreamlike ten-day sequence and the heightened chaos of the chicken shop – central to the emotional tone of SAUDADE.

TARON ALLISON

Sound Recordist

Taron is a highly experienced sound recordist working across drama and documentary. Having recorded sound on productions around the world and in extreme conditions, he brings a calm, adaptable confidence to set.

Taron's website

CAST

FLINN ANDREAE

Max

Flinn trained at ALRA and continued his professional development at Home Studio London. He will appear as Jon Bon Jovi in the upcoming Warner Bros./Fox feature film Wind Of Change. His theatre credits include productions at the King’s Head Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith’s Evolution Festival, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Flinn's showreel

NATHALY SABINO

Clara

Nathaly is a Brazilian born British actor who grew up between Brazil and Manchester. She graduated from the prestigious NYT REP course and will soon reprise her role as Honey in the play My Uncle Is Not Pablo Escobar at Brixton House.

LOCATIONS

We've secured Kasey's 4 as a location for the chicken shop at well below the going rate thanks to the generous owner. We've also secured a London apartment (thank you kind friends) and will also be using Victoria Park as an outdoor location.

Your collaboration enables a professionally produced short film with strong production value, immersive sound design, and the potential for a long life beyond its initial release. 

BUDGET:

We have a lean, carefully considered budget focused on the right locations and high-quality equipment, and balanced for post-production polish and a festival-ready finish.

Below is a breakdown of how the £8,000 budget will be allocated:

PRODUCTION - 56%

Crew and cast fees, locations, equipment, and transport.

POST-PRODUCTION - 26%

Editing support, original music, professional sound mix, and colour grade.

DISTRIBUTION - 8%

Festival submissions, delivery materials, and preparation for screenings.

CONTIGENCY - 10%

A buffer to manage unforeseen costs and protect the integrity of the production.

Wherever possible, we're committed to a favoured nations approach to paying our cast and crew. 

Any contributions beyond the £8,000 target will be used to extend the film's distribution – supporting additional festival submissions and a small number of private screenings for supporters.

PRODUCTION TIMELINE

SAUDADE will shoot in London over three days in February 2026. Post-production will follow immediately, with the aim of completing the film by April.

REWARDS

All contributions of £30 or more will receive an on-screen supporter credit and private early access to the finished film, regardless of whether it was pledged for a reward.

All contributions of £150 or more will receive an invite to the saudade themed dinner, regardless of whether it was pledged for a reward. 

THANK YOU

We appreciate you for taking the time to explore SAUDADE.

Whether you choose to support the film financially, share the project, or simply follow its journey, your interest and generosity mean a lot. This film is rooted in collaboration, trust, and presence – and we’re so grateful to have you with us.