Project Detail

Pheasant

Synopsis

A drama set in rural England amidst the backdrop of World War II exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the impact of war on personal lives - highlighting the human capacity for both empathy and cruelty in times of crisis.
Martha, an 11-year-old mixed-race girl, is evacuated from London to the northern English countryside. Martha finds herself in the care of a gruff gamekeeper and his family. Feeling isolated and rejected due to her racial background and the community’s war-induced tensions, she tries to adapt to her new life, becoming captivated by the natural beauty of the countryside. Martha forms a secret friendship with Enzo, an Italian POW, whose gentle demeanour and shared sense of displacement draw them together. Martha also navigates a complex relationship with George, the gamekeeper's son, who is torn between his familial prejudices and his growing fondness for Martha.

Visit Film Website

Details

Year: 2026
Type of project: Shorts
Running time: 17 min 14 sec
Format: Digital
Director: Claire Molloy
Producer: Naomi Ayres
Executive Producer: Jen Bradfield, Dave Birchall
Editor: Marie Langin
Screenwriter: Anna Moore, Claire Molloy
Director of Photography: Helena Gonzalez
Production Designer: James Gray
Sound: Simon Panyani
Composer: Jack McCartney
Principal cast: Ellie-Mae Siame, Bernardo Tuccillo, Tommy Finnegan, James Lewis, Joanna Bond, Michelle Greenidge
Script Consultant: Jackie Okwera
Casting Director: Olissa Rogers

Genre

Drama History Woman Director

Production Status

Post-production

Production Company

Square Cherry Productions Ltd

Naomi Ayres
The Old Farmhouse
189 Counthill Road
Oldham
OL4 2PX

Visit Website

Page updates

This page was last updated on 12th March 2026. Please let us know if we need to make any amendments or request edit access by clicking below.

Suggest amendments