I Wish - Short Film

Director - Sadhbh Vella

Producer - Patryk Lukaszewski

Cinematographer - Lola Partida Barrios

Synopsis

I Wish is a short lesbian horror film. It explores the theme of confusing infatuation with love. This theme stems from loneliness and fixating on “love” as a solution to loneliness.

This film is about an insecure artist, Lydia, who struggles with loneliness and assumes that love will “fix” her. When her best friend Emily’s cooler older sister Kaya comes to stay, she mocks Lydia calling her pathetic for not being in love. This affirms her insecurities and pushes her to take drastic action as she turns to witchcraft in attempt of finally experiencing love.

As a result of the spell Kaya becomes obsessed with Lydia validating her anxieties. Kaya helps her find a newfound confidence in herself and her art. Kaya’s obsession with Lydia is all consuming. As things start to take an unsettling turn Lydia realises that she doesn’t want love from a jar. Lydia attempts to fix her mistakes but not before losing the only real love she had.

Directors Message

I want to make this film as I’m intrigued by the complexity of human emotions, specifically the difference between infatuation and love. It’s a theme that resonates with a lot of people, particularly in early stages relationships. The lines between intense attraction and genuine affection can often become blurred which is what this story will explore.

Additionally, my passion for horror films, queer cinema, and stories that centre on women naturally led me to combine these genres in this script. I’ve always been drawn to how these genres can push boundaries and explore the more complex sides of human nature. Horror, in particular, allows for a deep exploration of fear and the unknown, while queer and women-centred films often tackle themes of identity, struggle, and empowerment. By blending these elements, I hope to create a film that challenges conventional storytelling while diving into themes of obsession, self-discovery, and the human desire for connection.

However in the horror genre, women are often portrayed in one-dimensional, stereotypical roles—especially as "psycho" characters who exist only to be feared or vilified. This portrayal not only limits the depth of female characters but also reduces them to their darkest behaviours without acknowledging the complexity behind their actions. In this film, I want to explore my female characters as complex, multifaceted, and deeply human individuals . By moving beyond the typical tropes, I hope to create characters who are not defined solely by their actions but are instead portrayed with the nuance and depth that all people deserve.

Ultimately, this project is an opportunity to challenge both the horror genre and the way we view relationships, while telling a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Thank You

This money will help us to fund costs relating to technical gear, locations, feeding cast and crew, production design, costumes, transport and much more. We receive every donation and share of our gofundme with immense gratitude as you will help us achieve our goal of making this film come to life. As this is a self funded project every single donation, no matter how small, makes a huge difference.

Thank you,

From Sadhbh (Director), Patryk (Producer),

& The I Wish crew