Behind the Film: Boy - Worcester Film Festival

Introduction:

Boy is a psychological, queer drama that follows a young queer man’s encounter with an older stranger. When Danny invites Mark to the place he is housesitting, their charged encounter forces him to face the mismatch between who he is and who he appears to be. The film, made by students, aims to expose the experience of young queer people in the world of modern online dating and hookup culture.

Inspiration:

The idea for Boy came from a mix of personal experience and stories from close friends. As young queer directors, we have grown up in the modern world which promises openness and liberation. Boy exposes our experience of the ongoing hidden and internalised homophobia that is still present in the background of an apparent liberal society. The film also taps into current issues around sex and relationships education in schools, as well as political hypocrisy. For us, sex education at school did not meaningfully address safety and protection when it came to queer relationships and was instead brushed over, leaving us and our queer peers with an uncertainty to be navigated alone. It is this experience that lies at the heart of Boy.

The Process:

Filming took place at one house over three days in July 2025. As first-time student directors/producers, we faced many challenges, such as finding cast and crew who were open to collaborating, as well as sourcing equipment with almost no budget. It definitely taught us that no matter the nature of the process, everything works out one way or another. One of our favourite moments of the shoot was the morning we spent setting up and practising a one-shot sequence that follows the protagonists down the stairs and out of the house. Though a technical nightmare, this was a moment where we truly felt the film come to life. We were lucky to work with a team of dedicated and talented cast and crew.

What It Means to Be a Finalist:

It is a massive honour to be selected as a finalist for the Worcester Film Festival. To have our no-budget short recognised by a festival of this standard sends us over the moon. It means a lot to know that our story resonates with people. We can’t wait to share it with everyone at the festival.