Production Design by Tyla Mathers & Lauren Blagden
Contents
• Poster
• Logline & Full Synopsis
• Director’s Introduction
• Key Cast Photos & Bios
• Key Crew Photos and Bios
• Full Cast & Crew List
• Behind the Scenes Photos
• Film Stills
• Link to Trailer/ Socials
• FAQs
• Special Thanks
Logline & Full Synopsis
University dropout Malo (22) feels lost with her identity, with no hope for the future. Indulging in excess, she meets street musician Brenda (25); inspiration hits as Malo begins to express her identity around those feelings of euphoria. How far will this go as she discovers just how animated her emotions are?
Cardiff, 2024. University dropout Malo Awbrey (22), feeling lost with her identity after having come out to her parents as trans, finds herself sleeping on the couch of her old friend,Aaron Goff (23), with nowhere else to go. Headstrong and emotionally driven, she drowns in excess with no hope for the future.
Seeking euphoria at her lowest point, Malo meets street musician, Brenda Morgan (25), full of confidence and charisma. Malo falls in love, and the two find solidarity in their shared experiences transitioning. While Brenda teaches Malo the music that was taught to them by their Grandmother, Brenda’s personal life catches up to them as tragedy hits.
Brenda sets out for home, leaving Malo lost and confused. Figuring out what she wants from the world and the people around her, she reconciles with Aaron and learns to love herself without the expectations of others. As Malo and Brenda meet for the final time, they share a mutual kiss as they come to terms with their newly found purposes in life.
Director’s Introduction
By Amy
This is the first time I’ve directed since my 1st year at university and, to be perfectly honest, I didn’t know what to expect.
I kept thinking the other directors in my year have way more experience and I’d be at a disadvantage.
After making this film, I have a great deal more respect for directors everywhere. Despite every struggle and every time we thought we wouldn’t make it, every person in our crew put their heart and soul into making the best film possible.
Getting to work on a queer film made by queer voices has been an amazing experience. It’s become one of my favourite films to work on; it’s a beautiful story about being yourself unapologetically and taking life into your own hands.
The current political climate is trying to silence transgender voices, and we – the crew behind Feeling Pretty – know that transgender people are real and valid, and I hope that there are people out there that will realise that when they see Malo’s story.
To everyone watching, whoever you are, you are seen, you are heard and you are loved.
Thank you.
Introducing the Key Cast
Mils as Malo
Mils Robinson is a Non-Binary Actor, Writer and Director. They trained for 5 years in StratfordUpon-Avon, before moving to South Wales in late 2024. They have taken part in a number of short films and theatrical productions, both professional and amateur, including taking on the role of ‘Mr Poppy’ in a production of ‘Nativity! The Musical’, and the role of ‘Algernon’, in a production of ‘The Importance Of Being Earnest’.
Having only come out as trans recently, taking on the role of Malo has been incredibly important to Mils, as having the opportunity to portray a trans character who also only recently came to terms with their identity, has been incredibly valuable and incredibly important to them
Vicky as Brenda
Vicky Hitchings is a genderfluid performer from Swansea.
They formally trained in Theatre and Performance at Trinity College, and have since gained experience in theatre, immersive and stage, as well as film and TV.
They are also a drag king known as Wayne King performing across South Wales.
They were keen to get involved in Feeling Pretty because the current climate for the trans and nonbinary communities is tough, and those stories deserve to be told and heard.
Guilia as Willow
Giulia (She/They) is a queer musical theatre performer, having recently graduated from Emil DaleAcademy on the BA(Hons) course.
She is currently based in South Wales. Since graduating, Giulia has been exploring screen work as well as stage work, making 'Feeling Pretty' her first on-screen performance.
Giulia is very keen to continue exploring the different avenues this industry can lead into, as well as uplifting and sharing more stories from the queer community within her future work.
Will as Aaron
Will Smith is an actor based in Cardiff, Wales, hailing originally from Essex, England. Having a love for telling stories and exploring character, Will studied Film at the University of South Wales. During this time however, Will fell in love with acting. Since graduating, Will has worked in an abundance of student and semi-professional projects. Some of his most recent credits include, ‘Confusion’ and ‘What Would Lily Do?’
He is a proud advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and has loved every second of being able to work on ‘Feeling Pretty’
In his free time, Will Smith loves board games and fanboying over Bon Iver.
Introducing the Key Crew
Amy (Director)
Amy Williams is the director of Feeling Pretty from Blackwood, Caerphilly. She began her education in film in 2020 at Coleg Gwent and has since written and directed 2 works for each role separately, including Feeling Pretty. She had previously worked on university films such as Quiet Hours and The Path as a writer, her primary focus for filmmaking; Feeling Pretty was her first directing role since 2023. She was first attracted to the idea of Feeling Pretty by the characters and their struggles with identity, being a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, with many people in her life in the community including herself as bisexual. She also was attracted to the concept of a romance film with transgender identities that didn’t end in tragedy. Her love of filmmaking is only rivalled by her love for pop culture and tabletop games.
Joshua (Producer)
Joshua (Josh) Sellek is a 21 year old Film graduand, having spent three years studying towards a BA (Hons) Film degree at the University of South Wales.
His specialism is producing, though Josh has been known to work in other roles including writing. He took on the role of Producer for Feeling Pretty having also previously produced other client-based projects. Josh has been a part of amateur theatre productions and uses these skills to support and develop his filmmaking.
Josh has a particular interest in animation-based films, and one day would like the opportunity to produce an animation such as Pixar’s Soul.
Working on Feeling Pretty has allowed Josh to gain a better understanding of the Trans community and the challenges faced. Josh wishes to continue to help tell important stories to advance social understanding and empathy.
Elias Bridgeman (Writer & Editor)
Writer and editor for the film Feeling Pretty, Elias Bridgeman has bolstered a number of works and projects over the course of her education as a BA film undergrad at The University of South Wales. Having previously began her journey at Tonyrefail Community School with her A levels for film, she has since worked as an editor under Llyffant Studios and other freelance projects such as We Are Zero’s Placebo performance video, primarily focusing on ingesting footage and timeline editing.
Her latest project - Feeling Pretty - Elias has drawn from personal experiences coming out as trans during her time in university and her own relationship with romance as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Jack (Cinematographer)
Jack Davies is the cinematographer and colourist for Feeling Pretty.
Having started his education in the arts in 2020 with a Drama A-level, Jack moved to film when he started his bachelor's degree in film in 2022.
Jack has worked on several films and client projects as a cinematographer, culminating in the formation of his company, Llyffant Studios, of which he is the co-director.
Jack felt drawn to Feeling Pretty; as a member of the queer community, he resonated deeply with the characters and wanted them to be portrayed naturally and strikingly on a big screen.
Cast
Full Cast and Crew
Malo Awbrey Mils Robinson
Brenda Morgan Vicky Hitchings
Aaron Goff Will Smith
Willow Morton Giuila Cianciarulo
Keelwhores Bassist Elias Bridgeman
Keelwhores Drummer Mathew Murphy
YFA Patrons Isabella Biaggi, Millie May
Easthope, Bob Gadsden, Corben Hanson, Ash Moorley, Josh Sellek, Paul Partridge, Saul Sulway
Bartender Gareth Edwards
Barry passerby Ash Moorley
Crew
Director Amy Willams
Producer Josh Sellek
Writer Elias Bridgeman
Editor Elias Bridgeman
Cinematographer Jack Davies
Production Design Lauren Blagden & Tyla Mathers
Costume & Make Up Keri
Elisabeth Roberts
1st AD Osian Coleman
2nd AD Saul Sulway
1st Camera Assistant Solomon Harrison
2nd Camera Assistant Joe Evans
3rd Camera Assistant Gareth Edwards
Production Sound supervisor Lloyd Rodd
Sound Engineers Lloyd Rodd, Billy campbell, Alix Reynolds
Gaffer TomosAllen Evans
Assistant Art Director Lauren Fines-Allin
Production Assistant Jules Langford
Unit Still Photography Shayne Linda-Li
Costume & Make Up Assistants Isabella Biaggi, Bob Gadsden, Mackenzie Sims
Was there any particular part of the film that you enjoyed directing the most?
I really loved helping the actors bring the characters to life, they were amazing to work and collaborate with.
This was your first time directing, do you think this could be a future career path for you?
Maybe! I think I'm going to take a break from it first though as it was pretty overwhelming at times. Knowing that I can do it with more experience under my belt does give me some confidence.
As a first time Director, how did you overcome challenges?
I think the thing that kept me sane during production was the crew. Seeing that they were all so passionate about the film gave me the determination to work through whatever was happening.
Producer FAQs
Feeling Pretty was a self funded film, Can you describe your experience in budgeting and managing finances for this production?
Securing funding was difficult , we reached 70% of our GoFundMe goal which meant working within a tight budget and managing spending carefully. Thankfully our set Designers were super creative and resourceful and we completed production within budget.
How was Feeling Pretty promoted and marketed?
Our GoFundMe page generated financial support and added progress reports for our supporters. Social Media was our biggest tool with Instagram pages set up for the film itself as well as our two main characters. We also approached LGBTQ+ organisations to ask for support and were grateful that Trans in the City and Out Loud and Proud Chorus Cardiff followed and shared our pages and posts.
Did you face any significant challenges during production?
It took us a while to find the right actors , thankfully it was worth the wait as we struck gold with our cast! Securing venues (on a tight budget) also took time.
We are really grateful to all our venues for supporting us.
Special Thanks
The Crew wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to
Carole and Jeffery Floyd
Paul and Katie at Recreate
Music Box Studio
Vale of Glamorgan Council
Trans in the City
Out Loud and Proud Chorus Cardiff
Sarah Sellek
Sam Vollbracht
Olivia Lousie O’Keefe
Keri’s Gremlins
Liz Fiona Mallen
David Hughes
Samo Chandler
Jo Diurnal
The Infamous Dave and
All our GoFundMe supporters for their support and generosity in helping us take Feeling Pretty from script to screen.
