Tea Stains is a short film designed to explore how two women from the same family live in two completely different versions of Ireland.

When Maggie returns home to her village in Ireland for a visit, she finds that her mother, Eileen, hasn’t changed. What was supposed to be just tea and cake, quickly becomes a painful confrontation about the silence dividing their family.

Synopsis.

After some time spent away in Dublin, 19 year old Maggie decides it's time to visit her rural family home, carrying words she’s been longing to say.

Entering the kitchen, she is met with her rather unwelcoming mother, Eileen. Agreeing to have tea, Maggie searches for a particular mug—the one belonging to her brother, Mikey. Unable to find it, she questions her mother for its whereabouts, which Eileen frantically dismisses.

Maggie must make the uncomfortable choice to confront her mother or risk becoming as avoidant as the family she resents.

Tea Stains, whilst rooted in a specific Irish, Catholic, post-colonial context, at its core is universal: the frustration of generational misunderstandings, and the discomfort of speaking the forbidden.

Every dollar raised will go directly towards bringing Tea Stains to life, helping cover essential production costs including locations, production design, equipment, catering, transport, and post-production.

Your support, no matter the amount, will help an emerging team of filmmakers create a thoughtful and emotionally honest film that explores conversations so often left unspoken. If you're unable to donate, sharing our campaign with friends and family is just as valuable.

Thank you for supporting Tea Stains and helping us bring this story to the screen.