STATUS: A short LGBTQ+ film.

WORLD PREMIERE: BFI Flare LGBTQIA+ Film Festival 2026

LOGLINE:

After a traumatic assault, a gay man battles crippling anxiety and fear of the outside world, anchored by the quiet, unwavering love of his partner, who becomes his strength when his own falters.

SYNOPSIS:

Charlie’s (Peter McPherson – Smoggie Queens, In From the Side, Hollyoaks) world has shrunk to the safety of his flat, paralysed by anxiety after an assault. His partner, Toby (Conor Pavitt – Warrior, There He Goes), stands by him with patience and compassion, gently guiding him back towards life beyond their walls. What begins as a simple attempt to step outside becomes a profound act of courage and trust, a testament to the quiet power of love that refuses to give up, even when words fail.

DIRECTOR’S NOTES:

This film isn’t about violence – it’s about what happens after.

With co-creator Wesley Mahoney, we set out to explore how trauma seeps into relationships, and how love can be both a comfort and a challenge in its wake. Toby’s role as Charlie’s anchor is the emotional core of Breaking Through the Fear. His quiet strength and empathy reveal that healing isn’t just the survivor’s journey; it’s something shared and built between two people who refuse to give up on each other.

The inspiration for my first LGBTQ+ short, Your Heart is Homeless, came from a personal experience that has stayed with me for decades: as a gay man, I was once trapped in my own home with someone I’d just met, whose demeanour suddenly turned aggressive. That fear and vulnerability are feelings many LGBTQ+ people know all too well. With that film, I set out to explore these silent struggles.

With Breaking Through the Fear, Wesley and I wanted to continue this exploration, especially as hate crimes against LGBTQIA+ people in London and across the UK have risen sharply in recent years. These statistics represent real people living with real fear. Our film is a response to that reality, focusing on the aftermath—how trauma lingers, and how love and support can help reclaim a sense of safety and hope.

Both Breaking Through the Fear and Your Heart is Homeless are intended as the foundation for a feature project we are developing. Our goal is to expand these themes into a feature-length narrative, weaving together multiple perspectives and experiences to create a powerful, authentic portrait of LGBTQ+ life and resilience.

Made on a micro-budget, this film was only possible thanks to the dedication and generosity of everyone involved. Ultimately, it’s about agency, solidarity, and hope. We hope it resonates with anyone who has ever felt afraid to be themselves and encourages empathy, understanding, and open conversation.

THEMES & TONE:
Emotional resilience through connection
The endurance of love under strain
The unseen strength of the caregiver
Fear, vulnerability, and the rediscovery of self
Tone: Intimate, grounded, and compassionate, a study of two men navigating love in the shadow of fear.

 

Actual Runtime: 15 mins
Shoot Dates: January/February 2025
Current Status: Complete
Release Year 2026

 

CREDITS:
Directed by: Darren Brade
Written by: Wesley Mahoney & Darren Brade
Produced by: Peripheral Vision Films

Cast:
Charlie – Peter McPherson
Toby – Conor Pavitt

Crew:
Producers – Darren Brade, Wesley Mahoney
Associate Producer -Tristan Tetteroo
Music – Thibault Ravina
Hair and Make Up – Sophie McGowan
Sound Recordist – James Buttling
Assistant Director – Wesley Mahoney
Camera Operator – Tristan Tetteroo, Lara Diamond
Camera Loader – Danielle Feinberg
Sound Mixer – Tim Shepherd
Colour House – Wash
Colourist – Ruby Cameron
Stills Photography – Simon Calahan, Darren Brade

Special Thanks:
Ruth Bonazza, Delamar Academy, Graham Harrison, Sandra Mahoney, Graham Martin, Fabrice Ouakinine, Kate Shah, Nic Shaw, UAL: London College of Communication

The original 2024 PITCHDECK for ‘Breaking Through the Fear’ can be found here:

https://pitch.com/v/breaking-through-the-fear-rx9sp8/4f7ecb86-8787-4564-825d-9a897db835c1

Film Type
Production Status
Release Year
Runtime
Scope Container
Frame Rate
Audio

 

Narrative Short Film – LGBTQ+
COMPLETE
2026
15 Minutes
2.39:1
25fps
5.1