Project Detail

Pheasant

Pheasant
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.

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

Categories

Production Status

Production Company

Square Cherry Productions Ltd

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

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.

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