Inspired by femme-led body horror's such as The Substance, Titane and Crash aswell as gritty, dystopian sci-fi's like Children of Men, District 9 and Under the Skin. We will merge these genres to raise important conversations around transgender issues.

This is the fundraiser for a film that we believe to be of great cultural and political importance.

Parted Nations is a gritty sci-fi/ body-horror that aims to explore the terrors and tribulations of being a trans+ person in today’s world, and the strength and resilience it takes for such people to survive.

Media around trans+ issues usually take a watered-down, wishy washy, pastel, palatable tone of expression.

We aim to create something thrilling, visceral and raw that better encapsulates the psychological torment that trans+ people experience, often just by existing.

It will show their pain, their love, their courage and their rage.

Basic run-through of story

In the not-too-distant (and not too dystopian) future, Britain has become a fascist island after declaring martial law in the name of hunting down and erasing their number one enemy: a rapidly-growing, underground network of biohacking trans-witches.

After gender-related transitioning became illegal, trans folk began hacking their bodies with DIY hormonal implants and illegal cosmetic surgeries.

The state became more authoritarian and sinister in it's tracking down and persecution of the trans folk, so they began bio-hacking to escape persecution and imprisonment in "correction centres."

That's when they discovered that they were inherently closer to the spiritual world than they had assumed. The tech fused with their bodies in ways no one could explain. It allowed them to disappear. It allowed them to organize.

Characters:

Parted Nations gives us a glimpse into this underground world through three key figures of the coven: Mistress, Hacker, and The Priestess.

Throughout the film we see Mistress torture a male politician in a dark and humid, H.R. Giger-esque sex chamber — filled with strange devices that blur the line between sex and punishment.

We see a power shift between Mistress and her submissive client. Whilst she is the one enacting the cruel and somewhat alien punishments on the middle-aged straight man, who is really the one holding the leash? This segment confronts the fetishization of transgender women, power play, and the sinister dance of domination. Seeing Mistress's vulnerability also adds depth to her character.

Elsewhere, Hacker lives in a boarded-up council flat. She eats American cereal (she's American you see) while watching anime as she builds biomechanical weapons and flips between news reports of current political warfares. Her communication with The Priestess is pshyic so they speak through a broken-down hybrid of glitching VHS and telepathy.

The Priestess: ancient, bent, and otherworldly. Her spine protrudes out of her torn, bleeding skin her back from carrying the pain of every trans witch in hiding. She sits in a vast, empty concrete chamber, surrounded by tanks of black eels. She delivers a raw, brutal monologue that summons the others — a speech of rage, grief, and divine power.

We then glimpse an uprising being born: a diverse, biomechanical army rising from the comfort of the night, preparing for a revolution.

Future Production & Release Goals

Parted Nations will be submitted to film festivals like Sundance, SXSW, Fantastic Fest, Sitges, and BFI London Film Festival targeting horror film lovers and industry professionals.

We aim to attract indie horror distributors like A24, NEON, IFC Midnight, and Shudder.

Once the film has premiered and gained traction in the short film circuit, we aim to produce a digital screening for international fans and donators, aswell as a London premiere exclusive and after-party to create a sense of belonging and empowerement for the trans+ and queer community.

Overall, our dream is to expand 'Parted Nations' into a length film that better encapsulates the story on a larger-scale and shapes culture as we know it.

Why Now?

On April 6th, the UK Supreme Court upheld a ruling that further strips rights from trans citizens. This moment arrives after a decade of trans people being used as scapegoats by the government to distract from austerity, inequality, and elite corruption. It is important that we make art that counteracts these attacks on basic human rights and freedoms.

Creating Paid Work for Trans People

Two years ago, I founded the UK’s first trans-led recruitment agency. Through that work, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply transphobia impacts employment opportunities.

Basically, every day it is becoming harder for trans+ people to find work.

A McKinsey study found that trans people are twice as likely to be unemployed than the general population.

That’s why this film matters. It’s more than a story — it’s an opportunity.

At least 70% of our crew will be trans. Of the £15K we’re raising, 45% will go directly to hiring trans+ and queer creatives.

Not unpaid “experience.” Paid, professional work — now, when it’s needed most.

Why We Need More Trans Filmmakers?

While we’ve seen a wave of trans stories recently (Baby Reindeer, etc.), trans creators — especially directors — remain locked out.

UCLA’s 2022 Hollywood Diversity Report showed only 1.9% of film directors identify as LGBTQ+. That means the number of openly trans directors is even lower. Practically non-existent.

Aside from the Wachowski sisters (who came out long after The Matrix), most trans filmmakers are still waiting for a real shot.

It’s time for that to change.

Budget:

The total production budget is £17,820, with the crew costing £9,150 (hiring roles like director, DOP, stylist, MUA, etc.). Production costs, including location, catering, transport and set design come to £5,670. Post-production tasks like editing, grading, and music composition total £1,500. An additional £1,500 is allocated to festivals and marketing.

All lead-roles in the film will be played by trans+ actors and when hiring crew we will prioritise trans professionals, and professionals the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

Our commitment is that at least 60% of the budget allocated to cast/crew and post-production will be going back to the trans community.

This means that funding this project will help create paid work for the trans community.

Why This Film Matters

Art should reflect the times we live in.

And right now, trans rights are not only a cultural issue.. they are a political battleground.

Parted Nations isn’t just a cultural conversation starter that will shape culture back towards trans-inclusivity.

It will strengthen the movement for society to come away from strict gender roles, fascism and patriarchal rule.

By pledging to our Kickstarter, you’re not just helping us make a film — you’re helping push the industry toward radical, necessary change. You’re helping us tell our own stories — unfiltered, unashamed, and uncompromising.

Let’s build a world where trans creators don’t need permission. Let’s make this happen.