Project Detail

Croydon Cowgirl

Synopsis

The story of two full-of-life, lonely and desperate strangers. One has risked his life to come to the UK to seek asylum; the other is a bold, vivacious woman clinging on to life, looking bleakly to her future whilst not quite being able to let go of her chaotic past. Jostling between comedy and heart-breaking moments of vulnerability, our story treads the fine line between pathos and humour, where human nature and tragedy are just a part of everyday life.
Cindie is jobless, childless, and her life has been spiralling - addicted to her love of a party, vaping and drink. A working-class woman about to turn 40 and at her lowest ebb, she’s offered a lifeline via a sham marriage by fixer Amel - to a political refugee, Tariq, 27. In 2025, the number of people crossing the Dover Straits to the UK to seek asylum has doubled to around 60,000; this number continues to rise.
A story about drag, immigration, class and true friendship. And so much more than that - it’s a love story, a modern fairy tale, and love is something we can all relate to regardless of sex, race, or religion – love is universal.

Details

Year: 2025
Type of project: Shorts
Running time: 14 min 59 sec
Director: Phoebe Barran
Producer: Kayleigh-Paige Rees
Executive Producer: Nigel Hughes, Stephen Upstone
Editor: Jack Thrush
Screenwriter: Kellie Shirley
Director of Photography: Birgit Bebe Dierken
Production Designer: Medard Mankos
Sound: John York
Composer: Heather Pitchford
Principal cast: Kellie Shirley, Melanie Walters, Sarah Seggari, Carwen Jones, Aram Mardourian, Kyle Tovey,