Hiking in the Lake District, a blind queer woman and her girlfriend discover how to embrace love and disability...

Picturesque (2023), is a bittersweet LGBTQ+ drama short film, set in the Lake District, proudly taking a stand for authentic representation of blindness & disability on screen. Co-written by Will Hextall and Ellie Wallwork (Call the Midwife, Doctor Who). Directed by Will Hextall. 

Synopsis:

A blind queer woman goes hiking with her girlfriend. Together, they embark on a life affirming journey, visiting beautiful places in the Lake District, learning to forgive and discovering how to embrace love and disability.

Characters:

Mills:

Stubborn and feisty but with a heart of gold, young blind woman Mills is so determined to be independent, that selfishness has crept up on her. She is free spirited and feels she has tied herself down too soon. She wants to break up with Rhea but is struggling to find the words.

Rhea: 

Rhea, likes the simple things in life. She senses Mills is no longer satisfied in their relationship but is optimistic that things  will work out. She tries too hard and worries like a trooper! Despite feeling too magnolia for Mills, she is making an effort to live more spontaneously.

Our Vision:

We believe that Film and Television should reflect the diverse world we live in. 15% of the global population are disabled and there are still so many interesting stories yet to be told and voices to be heard.

Picturesque is committed to represent  the visually impaired, disabled and LGBTQ+ communities, defying stigma and celebrating queer love as a disabled person. With a visually impaired, queer actor Ellie Wallwork at the helm as co-writer and playing our protagonist “Mills", we are striving to achieve authentic and accurate representation.

The film will take the viewer on a journey through the ups and downs of a young couple’s first longterm relationship and weigh up their compatibility. Love isn’t simple, whether you have a disability or not. It’s important for us to depict romance in its rawest, most real form but ultimately, leave people with their hearts warmer. Recently Netflix’s Heartstopper has been regarded as one of the loveliest programmes to watch on Television. We are determined to generate a similar response and leave the audience with a smile on their face!

Upon its completion we hope Picturesque will make waves at national and international film festivals. However this short film, will also serve as a the foundation for a future feature film project.

Meet the Team:

Will Hextall - Director/Co-writer

Will is a director and screenwriter from Stevenage, Hertfordshire. He has a background in acting and attended the prestigious Big Spirit Youth Theatre, known for its notable alumni including Ben Whishaw and Claire Rushbrook. In 2019, Will won a best drama award for a production of Hedda Gabler he directed. Intrigued by the storytelling tools film gives a director, he went on to study Film and Television Production at the London Metropolitan University and is now working on what will be his film festival debut!

Previously, Will has worked as an SEN Teaching Assistant, Drama Teacher and for a deaf charity. Accessibility and disability representation is something very close to his heart.

His credits include: Morningside (Stoic) music video, and The Price of Existence (documentary).

Ellie Wallwork- Actor/Co-writer

Ellie is 22 year old visually impaired, queer actor known for her roles: Hanne in Doctor Who and Marion Irmsby in Call The Midwife, both visually impaired guest lead characters.

Having previously written.a play and with a passion for writing poetry, she is excited to be stepping into the shoes as a screenwriter for Picturesque, in addition to playing the lead character, Mills.

Her first hand experience of being a blind queer woman makes her the perfect candidate for co- writer and will help keep our storytelling as authentic as possible.

Her credits include: Hanne in Doctor Who, Marion Irmsby in Call The Midwife, Lily in Here Comes Freida and Ian’s Student in Imagine.

Harry Norton- Producer

Harry is an experienced director, writer and producer who has worked on various films, most recently as producer of Protomartyr: The First British Saint (2022), a short documentary film about Saint Alban,

Harry is a film graduate from Hertfordshire University and is one to watch, as he continues to develop his career.

His credits include: Protomartyr: The First British Saint, Hellvelyn, Faustian and Missing.

Davey Gilder- Director of Photography

Davey is a cinematographer, whose career has seen him work as D.O.P across a number of award winning short narrative films for BFI and Channel 4. In addition he has worked on commercials for Adidas, Lego, Formula One, Playstation, Jessie J, Yorkshire Tea, Tommy Hilfiger and Currys & PC World.

With his plethora of experience and the gritty but pretty look Davey creates, we are confident he will deliver some breathtaking footage for Picturesque.

His narrative credits include: A Life Hereafter – Channel 4 Random Acts, Marina and Adrienne- Film London, British Council, Creative England / BFI, Lambing Season- Creative England / BFI Network

Hannah Sorkin- Production Designer

Hannah has worked across a number of roles in the film industry from director to producer and now production designer. Also, with experience behind the scenes in the theatre world, she has a fantastic eye for detail when it comes to what looks good on camera and is planning to bring a raw and rustic look to the film.

Her credits include: Seen and Not Heard, Lost and Found and It’s a Dog’s Life.

Budget & Fundraising Plan:

Thank you for all of your support, we can't wait to bring you this beautiful short film in 2023! :-)