By Her Wounds

Aim

A powerful short film exposing hidden systems of exploitation and giving voice to women’s stolen autonomy and untold stories.

LOGLINE:

14-year-old Kathleen begins work as a maid in what appears to be a quiet, orderly hotel - unaware that she is being prepared for something far more insidious. 

‘By Her Wounds’ is a fictional narrative which explores the true, horrifying realities for thousands of women throughout history and around the world today. What began as a script inspired by the Irish Magdalene Laundries, ‘By Her Wounds’ now delves into issues surrounding sex trafficking and body autonomy. This film aims to bring light to these subject matters, without sensationalising or trivialising them, in hopes of starting many much-needed conversations.

As we closely follow Kathleen’s journey over the course of 24 hours, we are brought into a horrifyingly real and current world, all of which will be created through the employment of documentary-style shooting techniques, naturalistic lighting, prominent sound design and realistic production design. 

In order to immerse the audience in Kathleen’s singular experience and mirror her own emotions, whilst refraining from explicitly showing any acts of violence, the crew will be taking visual inspiration from the shooting techniques used in ‘Son of Saul’ (Nemes, 2016), particularly its use of close-up shots and longer takes.

Realism is essential. Production design will reflect the fact that the script is set in the present day but will remain ambiguous as to where it is set - this ambiguity is a key aspect of the film. It could be anywhere, as it is very much everywhere.

We are thrilled to be collaborating with Esme and Maisie, two emerging costume designers whose meticulous eye for texture, tone and symbolism will help define the world of By Her Wounds. Their designs strip away individuality through plain, institutional uniforms, yet reveal humanity through the smallest details such as a frayed hem, a bloodstain or a robe turned symbol of control and defiance. Every costume choice deepens the film’s themes of oppression and resilience, grounding the story’s emotional truth in the physical fabric of its world. Your contributions will directly support the creation and sourcing of these bespoke garments, from identical dresses for the dormitory girls to Ellen’s ritual robe and bloodied duplicate for the film’s climax, allowing Esme and Maisie to craft pieces that feel both period accurate and powerfully symbolic. Through costume we will make the invisible visible, embodying the silent suffering, strength and humanity at the heart of Kathleen’s story.

KATHLEEN:

This film seeks to provoke audiences – shocking them with what appears to be a highly fictional world, whilst reminding them of the very current prevalence of the film’s themes worldwide. To expand on this, many of the subject matters explored throughout ‘By Her Wounds’ are issues striking far closer to home than one might think. For example, 19,125 potential victims of modern slavery were referred to the Home Office in 2024, with 35% of them being children. Additionally, women were more likely to report sexual exploitation and accounted for 31% (1,546). As these are only a representation of cases that have been reported, we can assume that it is an underestimation of the true numbers. Human trafficking is currently one of the fastest-growing crimes globally and is often not talked about. 

As our crew researched more into these topics, the more we were horrified by the unspoken atrocities going on around the world and the proximity of a lot of them to us. We feel privileged to be able to speak up about this and believe that this film is a valuable tool in bringing people together to raise awareness, to feel seen and to be heard. Many of the themes explored in 'By Her Wounds’ are closely personal to us too, and so, we hope to create a sensitive and empathetic portrayal of our characters and their story. 

By donating to our film ‘By Her Wounds’, you are helping bring to life a story inspired by the experiences of countless women across the world and throughout history, women who are so often reduced to statistics, yet whose voices, resilience, and humanity deserve to be seen and heard. Your support allows us to create a powerful narrative that sparks meaningful conversations about the issues at the heart of our film, and encourages empathy, understanding, and change.

To make ‘By Her Wounds’ a reality, we need your help to fund the vital departments that will bring our creative vision to the screen, from production design and cinematography, to costume and post-production. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a genuine difference and helps us tell this important story with the care and authenticity it deserves.

Where your support goes:

Every pound you give helps bring By Her Wounds to life — a story made with honesty, care, and deep respect for its emotional power. Your support doesn’t just fund a film — it helps create meaningful, heartfelt art.

🎭 Cast (£2,200)
You’re helping us fairly pay our incredible actors — from our leads, Kathleen and Ellen, to the supporting cast who fill the story’s world with realism and heart.

🎥 Camera & Lighting (£400)
Your support shapes the film’s look — a raw, handheld style with soft, moody dormitory tones and sharp, sterile light in the preparation rooms.

🏛️ Locations (£500)
You’re helping us transform a heritage building into the haunting dormitories, corridors, and stairwells of our story’s world.

🎨 Art Department (£1,500)
Every stripped bed, simple prop, and period detail will exist thanks to you — crafting an atmosphere that feels real and lived-in.

👗 Costume (£1,200)
From plain uniforms to ritual robes, your contribution helps each character’s story come to life through fabric, texture, and symbolism.

💄 Make-up (£150)
Subtle, powerful touches — pale skin, bruises, traces of blood — handled with care to show trauma without sensationalism.

🚐 Travel & Living (£1,400)
You’re ensuring our young cast and crew are safe, fed, and supported with meals, accommodation, and chaperone care.

📣 Promotion (£400)
Finally, your support helps the film reach audiences through festivals, press, and social media — giving this story the platform it deserves.

✨ Every donation, big or small, brings By Her Wounds one step closer to the screen. Thank you for helping us tell this story with the compassion and artistry it deserves.

This project successfully funded on 11th December 2025