Reasons Not To Love You - Short Film

My name is Ciaran Fitzgerald, I am an emerging disabled writer from Port Talbot in South Wales. I have written for the Sherman Theatre, Theatr Clwyd, and am currently developing work for TV with Tiger Aspect and Rangabee. Recently, I have been working with Bradleigh Way, an emerging disabled actor based in RCT. I have previously worked with Bradleigh, who appeared in my final major project at the University of South Wales, called 'Chasing Rainbows,' a play written by myself. The play went on to receive development from Pontardawe Arts Centre.

In recent years, Bradleigh has begun to develop his own work, and has written a 10 minute short film, a story about his experience of coming out as a disabled person and unrequited queer love.

We will use funds raised to bring this project to life. We hope to work with Steffan Thomas, a producer at Octagon Productions, who has experience in producing content for S4C and BBC Wales. However, we can only do that if we manage to raise these funds.

The story that Bradleigh wants to tell is a really important one, about sexuality and disability, two themes which are underrepresented in film. Bradleigh wants to use this film, and his wider work to advocate for the rights of Disabled people. This story comes from Bradleigh's own experience, and will give him a platform to share his story with a wider audience.

We intend to make the film in Summer 2023, and then enter it into film festivals. The funding we receive will be used to pay actors and production crew, find locations and film and edit Bradleigh's story.

This is an autobiographical short film, which will not only give Bradleigh a platform to talk about the issues affecting him, but also empower more young queer disabled people to feel confident in their identity. Disability representation is still woeful within the creative industries. We hope that this film will address that, and inspire more disabled creatives to make their own work. This film will be significant not only for the disabled community, but also the LGBT+ community, and explore the intersectionality between the two.

Please see below some links to Bradleigh's previous work

Linktree

https://linktr.ee/bradleigh1?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=278bcba2-84de-4655-9405-7f5ed2220176

Chasing Rainbows

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rn0uzez71gua9a0/002%20-%20Chasing%20Rainbows%20%28Ciaran%20Fitzgerald%2C%2016078071%29.mp4?dl=0

Wales Online Article 

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/disabled-performers-often-overlooked-im-27392643.amp

We are hoping to make Bradleigh's letter a reality!