This Short Film Shows the Importance of Being Present This Christmas

This new short life affirming film by BAFTA Breakthrough Daisy-May Hudson reminds us this Christmas our presence is presents enough. At a time when we are feeling overwhelmed or pressured to be perfect, this film returns us to what is most important, human connection and watching out for one another. Made in collaboration with lived experience ambassadors at Railway Children and Avanti West Coast, this film highlights the experience of many young vulnerable children running away this Christmas on the railway, and what signs to look out for. Every five minutes a child goes missing. Would you notice?

For the project Daisy-May worked with renowned casting director Shaheen Baig (Adolescence, Peaky Blinders, Urchin), who cast Olivia Brady (Scrapper, The Death of Bunny Monroe, Top Boy) as Andrea, and introducing Jessica Abbott as Cleo, and Dami Olukoya as the train manager - Who in co-creation with the railway children and the lived experiences of those closest to the issue, helped bring an authentic vision to the screen.

“I am very proud of this film and reminding people what’s important this Christmas - human connection and looking out for one another” commented Daisy-May. “It has been a joy creating this with the lived experience Ambassadors to centre what is the most important part of their story - and using that to create something which I hope really strikes a chord with people at this time. I find there is great power in film to deeply see people- and I hope this film captures what it can sometimes feel like this season - but that the hope is always found in how we can relate to one another and how we can make each other feel.”

Daisy-May is represented for branded content globally by 42 Branded managing director Clancie Brennan.