Blurred Lines - Queer County Lines Short Film

Aim

Queer County Lines Story

Aims: 

• To bring more authentic working-class representation to the media

• To highlight the dangers of County Lines as the issues grows bigger 

• To bring more authentic female queer stories to the media 

• To highlight the growing issue of poverty in this country 

• To highlight the pressures of being a teenager in modern day

• Survival

• Poverty

• Isolation and Vulnerability

• Youth and the Search for Identity

• Connection and Compassion

• Gender and queerness

Synopsis: 

Set over the course of a cold winter night, this short film follows Ellie, a bright, straight-A student and queer teenager, who finds herself working for a drug gang to support her family, who are facing pressure from bailiffs after her dad’s death.

After completing a delivery, Ellie misses the last train home and is forced to wait out the night on a freezing bench. There, she meets Billie, a warm and thoughtful non-binary lesbian. As the night unfolds, the two strike up a heartfelt conversation about queer identity, loneliness, and survival. During their exchange, Billie discovers that today is Ellie’s birthday.

Interwoven throughout the film are poignant flashbacks that reveal the harsh realities of Ellie’s home life and the events that led her into the world of drug running.

Ellie is not the kind of teenager one would expect to be caught up in crime- but in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, more and more young people are being pushed into dangerous choices. It's estimated that over 46,000 children and vulnerable adults in the UK are exploited through criminal activity, often unaware of the true consequences- and with so few able to come forward, the real number may be far higher.

Writer’s Statement: 

Becki Douglass (they/she) Writer/ Producer:

I created this short to spark conversations about the dangers of County Lines and to bring more authentic queer/ lesbian stories to the media. Growing up, I thought I was so weird and disgusting but really I was either of those things I just didn’t understand how to navigate my queer/gender identity or how to connect with people when I was a child living in poverty. Therefore, I want to tell stories around these themes so people growing up like me don’t feel the way I did.

‘Blurred Lines' was originally a TV show idea that I came up with based on my childhood growing up queer and in Grimsby, a small deprived Northern fishing town that’s been listed as one of the most dangerous places to live by the Guardian. I am currently pitching this pilot episode to production companies and they recommended I write a short film version of the story as proof of concept.

As  a writer I’m passionate about telling stories about the treatment of women and queer people in modern society. In addition, throughout my work I’m always exploring how these issues affect all intersections of people, particularly class. 

So far in my career, I have had a play named ‘I’m Allergic To People’ be commissioned by an off west-end venue for a week’s run. This play explores themes such as female rage, queerness and identity, and revenge. In addition, ‘I’m Allergic To People’ was short-listed by the Grass Routes Prize by Birdie Pictures and Matariarch Productions- Stephen Graham’s production company. 

Director's Statement: 

Callum Fernandes-Clarke (he/him) Director/ Editor: 

He is drawn to psychological thrillers and dark, character-driven dramas. A graduate of the University of Westminster’s Film BA program, his work explores the complexities of human behaviour through a gritty, atmospheric lens. In 2025, he won the West London Film Competition with his original short, earning recognition for his distinctive storytelling and visual intensity and was also shortlisted for the Breeze Black film fund. Callum continues to push emotional and psychological boundaries, crafting a tense and layered narrative that blurs the line between performance and reality.

Associate Producer's statement: 

Esme Michaela (she/they) Associate Producer

Esme is a producer supporting work that explores topics not often highlighted in mainstream media. Such as; ovarian and menstrual health disorders and LGBTQ+ stories. In 2022 they founded Evulve Productions to further this mission.

This year she has had the opportunity of working with some exciting up and coming filmmakers as well as established talent. This winter they are looking forward to going into production with Simon Stolland on a new short film that is currently in pre-production.

We have completed filming for this short film and are now entering the final stage of post-production. We were successful in raising the money we needed to get through pre-production and filming; now we just need some help to go further.

Mostly we will be using the money to submit to festivals. Blurred Lines is suitable for both in the UK and internationally. Submissions can be very expensive, and that's before factoring in the cost of travelling to them. In addition, donations will be used to help us market the film in the best way possible so we can be successful in our submissions. As a team we are hoping to make it to Cannes International Film Festival which just the return trip alone would be £700 for cast and crew. 

Phase one: The Edit

• Finish editing

• Colour grading complete

• Picture Lock (for Poster and Marketing)

• Original Soundtrack Complete

Phase Two: Marketing

• Finish promotional material

• Fundraising Events

• Planning Private screening

Phase Three: Submitting

• Start Submitting for Festivals

• Private Screening

• Online distribution

We’re so grateful to you for reading our crowdfunder and supporting ‘Blurred Lines’. It means the world to us, and we completely understand that not everyone will be able to help financially but the good news is you can still share this on social media

Make sure to follow along as the short film develops :)

Instagram: @blurredlinesshortfilm_

This project closed unsuccessfully on 30th April 2026