THE STORY

Taxidermy is set entirely within a single location: a hospital meeting room that is plain and unassuming. A space designed to feel safe, somewhere families can process loss and explore their emotions. Yet, while the room offers comfort, it is also quietly claustrophobic. As the conversation unfolds, the stillness of the space begins to amplify the emotional tension between the two men inside it, our characters, Jack and Luke.

Jack is in his mid-thirties and recently widowed. He is overwhelmed by the loss of his husband, Steven, and struggles to make sense of his grief. After Steven’s death, his eyes were donated and transplanted into Luke. Luke, in his mid-twenties, had been blind for most of his life and has recently gained sight through the transplant. Now he is slowly learning to experience the world visually and trying to redefine himself as someone who is no longer disabled.

Although they are brought together by Steven’s donation, Jack and Luke initially struggle to connect. Jack refuses to look at Luke, unable to face his husband’s eyes on another man. However, the freedom of being strangers who will likely never meet again allows them to open up in ways they might not otherwise, and to share their struggles.

As their conversation deepens, the room begins to respond in subtle, ghostly ways: a kettle clicks on by itself, a mug falls from the table. Drawing lightly on elements of sci-fi and horror, these disturbances reflect the unsettling realities of the situation, while making it something entirely plausible.

In Taxidermy, grief does not easily resolve. It lingers. In memory, in the spaces people leave behind and, sometimes, in the bodies of the living.

OUR CAST & CREW

Sonni Carpenter - Writer/Director

Sonni is a writer/director based in Essex, creating bold, emotionally driven work across film, photography, and visual art. As a disabled artist and mother, her practice is deeply personal, with self-portraiture central to her work. Through striking imagery, she explores themes of disability, motherhood, femininity, and morbidity with honesty and vulnerability. Her self-portraiture has been published internationally and exhibited in the UK, Madrid, and Paris. Her short script Taxidermy won Best Short Script at the New York Script Awards. 

Luke Worster - Producer

With over a decade of experience in the film and TV industries, Luke brings a calm and steady presence to every project. Having worked across multiple departments, he offers a holistic understanding of the production process, enabling him to effectively support cast and crew in delivering their best work. Luke has worked for major broadcasters including BBC, ITV, Channel 5, and UKTV. Career highlights include producing on the Daytime Emmy-winning Uncharted Adventure and assistant producing on acclaimed productions French & Saunders: Funny Women, The Good Life: Inside Out and The Two Ronnies: The Unseen Sketches.

Robert Henry - Actor, Jack

Robert is a London-based actor whose screen work spans independent short films, music videos, and major commercial campaigns. His recent credits include leading roles for Thompson Reuters, directed by Ralf Schmerberg, alongside collaborations with music artist Minute Taker. He is drawn to sharp, psychologically complex writing and is thrilled to be collaborating with director Sonni Carpenter on the upcoming short film, Taxidermy, playing the role of Jack.

Jonny Vernon - Actor, Luke

A proud Northern, working-class actor from Manchester, Jonny graduated from the Manchester School of Theatre in 2022. Since then, he has built an impressive screen career, appearing in numerous award-winning short films that have been recognised at festivals including the BFI, ECU European Independent Film Festival, and several prestigious US festivals. Alongside his screen work, Jonny spent four months touring Italy in 2025, playing the lead role of Winston Smith in George Orwell's 1984. 

Nathan Smith - DOP

Nathan is a cinematographer/director based in the North West of England. He is self-taught in his craft with a deep knowledge of the technical aspects of filmmaking and applying them to tell an engaging story. In his personal projects he strips things down to their essentials, embracing a minimalistic approach in his visual language. He loves to experiment and collaborate, working with various arts organisations including FACT and Theatre Porto. His films have been screened at Let's Make Films’ Sandbox Showcase, another frequent collaborator, with his film POND being especially well received.

Amy Loureth - Editor

Amy is an accomplished and versatile editor with experience in cutting shorts and a feature film (Dinner To Die For, 2025). With a background as an Assistant Editor in film and HETV (Last Breath, The Witcher S4) Amy has been trained by some of the best Drama Editors in the UK. Before this, she sharpened her cutting ability by editing documentaries, talk shows and children’s television. She loves working on short films and is excited that Taxidermy will be her next project.

BUDGET

Every pound you give helps us make a beautiful, honest film, and helps it reach the audience it deserves. We'll be submitting to festivals that align with our themes and can amplify the conversation this film starts as well as organising screenings with local communities.

We're a small, passionate team making a film we believe needs to exist and we want you to see exactly how your support brings it to life. Our biggest spend is our people, the cast and crew whose talent and care are the whole reason this film will work.

We'll also be donating 5% of everything raised to Muscular Dystrophy UK, and any unused contingency funds will go straight back to the cast and crew who brought this project to life.

If this story speaks to you, we'd be endlessly grateful for your support. Every contribution, big or small, gets us closer to making it real.

IF YOU'VE READ THIS FAR...

Thank you!!

We really believe this film has the potential to resonate with a wide audience and, hopefully, add to the conversation surrounding queerness, disability and grief in unique and meaningful ways. If you are thinking of donating, your help will be essential to make this happen.

If you aren't able to donate, please share this fundraiser with your friends and family. We promise to keep all backers in the loop regarding our progress and keep you updated with exactly where your donations are going.

You can also follow us on Instagram @taxidermyshortfilm

If you do have any queries, you can email us at taxidermyshortfilm@gmail.com

Thank you so much,

Sonni, Luke and the Taxidermy Team