Ignoring hatred is nothing new to Sara. She’s something of an expert.

But ghosts left alone long enough will do anything for company. Unwatched shadows grow arms and teeth. And eventually, inevitably, something unwelcome pierces the veil and follows her home…

The Presence is a psychological horror that portrays the monster of transphobia through the lens of a support group. Themes explored include the insidious nature of bigotry, the stamina required to fight our own demons, and the vital resilience of community.

This crowdfunding campaign aims to fund this project and to spotlight fresh talent and deliver unforgettable storytelling. Your support will help bring this vision to life - be part of the journey!

The Team

Creator - Carys Daniels

Driven by a passion for crafting narratives that defy convention and uncover untold perspectives, Carys is a versatile Actor and Creative fuelled by boundless curiosity and a love for collaboration. Having grown up performing on both stage and screen, she returned to the industry in 2022, securing credits in BBC’s Casualty and a feature film now in post-production.

A natural storyteller with a penchant for the unexpected, The Presence is Carys' bold step into the world of filmmaking.

Writer - Marcus Hadley

With a love of combining the silly and serious, Marcus has been writing in Bristol since childhood. From short stories scribbled in maths lessons to a career writing in theatre, he enjoys capturing the smudged line between love and sorrow, and the amazing awkwardness of being alive. Another passion is speaking to his experience of growing up trans and mixed-race in Britain.

Marcus has recently been a writer on two Lightbox Theatre productions (Cardboard Village [2022] and Morally Grey [2023]), and has performed at the Edinburgh Film Festival (Second Chancers [2023]). The Presence is his first full screenplay.

Producer - Dannie Dart

Dannie Dart is an actor - producer, who loves to delve deep into the complex to tell important human stories. She has previously produced work with Riverside Performing Arts in many of their productions including It's Complicated, Elmer & Beyond Belief. She has also worked with Lightbox Theatre on Looked After R&D, The Courts & Cardboard Village. Alongside studying a Masters at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Dannie is also currently producing her own work, To Build a Bigger Table, based on the lived experience of foster-carers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children in the UK.