WHAT IS TIME TO GO?

In June 2025, award-winning production company Old Swan Films embarked on their most ambitious short film project to date - Time to Go. A razor-sharp, satirical feminist thriller, Time to Go is the story of a fed-up office worker who hatches a meticulous plan to get rid of her corrupt, predatory boss once and for all.

Megan Turner, a sharp and resourceful woman in her 30s, is trapped in a toxic corporate job under her manipulative and egotistical boss, Gavin Jerome. Gavin's arrogance and unethical behaviour fuel Megan's growing resentment. Through darkly humorous observations to the audience, Megan reveals her frustration and hatches a bold plan to escape by seemingly murdering her boss.

However, rather than confront Gavin directly, she meticulously frames him for her own disappearance and presumed murder, planting incriminating evidence and luring him into a perfect trap.

As the investigation unfolds, detectives are drawn into the web of lies Megan has crafted, with Gavin becoming the prime suspect. Overwhelmed by the evidence, his toxic reputation only cements his guilt, leading to his downfall.

Ultimately, Time to Go is a story about survival, and the importance of bodily autonomy. In the end, Megan reclaims control over her life by dismantling the oppressive system that tried to hold her down.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

It's not just a film, it's a movement.

Short films have a proven track record of influencing societal attitudes and behaviours. They serve as powerful tools for education and advocacy, often leading to increased awareness and prompting social change.

By supporting Time to Go, you are providing a platform for survivors to share their stories, fostering empathy and understanding. Projects like this help highlight the prevalence of harassment and abuse, encouraging public discourse and education around it.

Your contribution will help us produce a film that not only reflects the realities faced by many, but also serves as a catalyst for meaningful change. Together, we can shed light on these critical issues and work towards a safer, more respectful society.

Inclusivity and Impact

We approached production of Time to Go with a deep commitment to equity, access, and ethical storytelling - particularly around themes of sexual harassment and abuse. We were intentional from day one about centring marginalised voices and prioritising inclusive hiring, mentorship, and care.

Our crew is 59% women and non-binary professionals, with 80% of heads of department roles filled by women. A post-production survey revealed that over 50% of our team also identified as LGBTQ+, reinforcing our belief in the power of intersectional inclusion.

Inclusion to us isn’t a PR line - it’s a production model. It informs how we staff, how we shoot, how we care for each other on set. Time to Go reflects our belief that telling difficult stories requires a community built on trust, collaboration, and sustained cultural change.

WHAT'S HAPPENED SO FAR?

Over the past 6 months, our diverse team of talented creatives have been working tirelessly to bring Megan's story to life, both in front and behind the camera.

Despite working with a shoestring budget, we have managed to achieve a level of production value that is a huge step-up from our previous projects. With a total cast & crew of over 50 people, this is the largest scale production Old Swan Films has ever produced. We couldn’t have done it without our partners:

Partnering with kit rental house No Drama enabled us to work with top-end professional equipment such as the Arri Red; elevating Time to Go beyond what we thought was possible.

Working with institutions such as LMA and Edge Hill University has allowed us to access incredible filming locations and lighting equipment. We were also able to bring students onto our set in trainee/entry level roles, developing valuable skills and experience for the next generation of filmmakers.

Perhaps most crucially, we worked closely with local charity RASA Merseyside (Rape and Sexual Abuse Support) who provided crucial survivor-informed support from the very beginning, to ensure we are giving this important story the justice & respect it deserves.

Intimacy Coordinator

We are very proud to have worked with Intimacy Coordinator Rhea Little (G'wed, Funny Woman) to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone involved, particularly for scenes addressing sexual harassment and assault.

Intimacy coordinators are crucial to guiding sensitive scenes in ways that uphold the director's vision while protecting the well-being of our cast and crew, so we are delighted to have had someone as experienced as Rhea on board.

WHY WE NEED YOU

We need your help to bring it all together and get the story out there. We have managed to get this far on a very tight budget and through the kindness of our partners & collaborators. However, some costs simply can't be avoided or bartered down.

Time to Go is a film with an important message. With a diverse team of working class filmmakers behind the project, we don’t have the funds on our own to market & share this message with as wide an audience as it deserves. We want Time to Go to reach as many people as possible, and to do this we need to have a robust festival strategy.

All funds raised will go towards film festival submissions and marketing - ultimately increasing the variety & scale of audiences that will see the film. With your help, we can give this film the platform it deserves, sparking conversation and perhaps inspiring some real, systematic change for the future.