HELD
Charles is brutally attacked, leaving him traumatised. Journeying home, he soon runs into a friend, who wants to know what’s wrong. But the shame of being a victim stops Charles from reaching out. Even when noticing his bleeding leg, he refuses to talk. Charles struggles on, without asking anyone for help until, finally, he makes it back to the safety of his own home and the one person he knows will not judge. But Mum isn’t answering the door…
Director: Toby Wharton
United Kingdom, 2022
12:12 min | trailer
Toby is a filmmaker from South East London, with a strong acting background. He is passionate about making intimate, character driven stories with a social commentary.
Throughout his teenage years, Toby was an MC on the UK Garage music scene. He then went on to study acting at RADA and has performed extensively on stage and screen. He co-wrote and played the title role in the critically acclaimed play, FOG, published by Methuen Drama. Toby’s BFI Network short, Held, is currently hitting the festivals and he’s been shortlisted for a 1.4 award. He’s now in post-production on his most recent short, Exchange, and is developing his first feature with Joi Productions and Sona Films. Toby regularly teaches acting at various institutions, including Bronzefield Women’s Prison and RADA.
Toby was recently selected as a Film London Lodestar for 2023.
YOUNG SHORTS
Movies
WHEN THE BEAT DROPS
On a breezy summer night Maya and Sem look up at the starry night sky. Life is smiling down at them. Everything makes sense... until the beat drops. Tragedy hits them. Swiftly and ruthlessly....
YAMA
Independence Day in Athens. A girl is not allowed to play with the boys. Neither is a small boy, an immigrant’s son. The girl lights a small fire and tells a small lie about the boy. Small lies easily get out of control. So do small racist fires....
ACTUALLY LITERALLY ARM IN ARM
Five adolescent girls sharing what moves them and shown in what holds them together: their friendship....
HELD
Charles is attacked and stabbed, leaving him traumatised. Journeying home, he soon runs into a friend, but his shame of being a victim stops him from reaching out. Finally, Charles makes it back to the safety of his own home and the one person he knows will not judge. But Mum isn’t answering the door... ...
WHITE LIE
A night ride in a taxi of three teenagers forces Rani to face the difference between him and his best friends....