Summary of Matrescence
Hi, we’re the crew of Matrescence, a graduate film being created as part of our final year on the BA Film Production course at the University of Portsmouth.
Our story explores the harrowing yet deeply human experience of postnatal depression through the eyes of Heather, a first-time mother navigating the complexities of her new reality. Set in the 2000s, this film is a poignant exploration of a subject that isn’t talked about enough, both in the film industry and in society as a whole.
With your help, we can raise awareness about postnatal depression, shedding light on its impact and honouring the strength and resilience of mothers everywhere.
Synopsis: Matrescence follows Heather, a young mother struggling in the aftermath of her son Nico’s birth. Far from the stereotypical image of joy and fulfilment, Heather finds herself unable to bond with her baby, neglecting basic self-care and experiencing overwhelming emotions like fear, numbness, and shame.
As her condition worsens, Heather battles intrusive thoughts and tries to cope alone. However, after a near-tragic moment, she realises she must seek help, beginning a journey to confront her struggles and move toward healing.
This is a story of pain, resilience, and the importance of reaching out—a story we believe must be told.
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Why This Story Matters
This story is deeply personal to us as a crew, with three out of eight core members having mothers who experienced postnatal depression—significantly higher than the UK national statistic of 1 in 10 mothers. Postnatal depression is not discussed enough, both within and outside of the film industry, and we believe it is crucial to shed light on this topic. Through Matrescence, we aim to create a poignant and authentic portrayal that not only raises awareness but also serves as a love letter to the strength and resilience of mothers everywhere.
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Messages from the Director, Writer and Producer:
Harvey Albury
Hi, I’m Harvey, and I’m the director of Matrescence.
I came up with the concept for Matrescence last summer after learning that someone close to me had experienced Postnatal Depression.
Postnatal Depression affects 1 in 10 mothers in the United Kingdom, yet it remains a subject many people know far too little about. I believe it’s incredibly important to shed light on this issue.
In my previous films, I’ve explored themes of loss and battling inner demons—both of which are central to this story.
Creating Matrescence will undoubtedly be a challenge for us as a crew, given the sensitive subject matter. However, I am confident that we can produce a film we are all deeply proud of—one that offers meaningful insight into this critical topic. This is made possible through the extensive research and dedication every member of our team is putting in.
Thank you so much for your support—we couldn’t do this without you!
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Elidijona Kurtolli
Hi, I’m Elidijona, and I’m the writer of Matrescence.
When I was first approached with the idea of Matrescence, I was immediately curious. Postnatal Depression is something so many mothers struggle with, often in silence. As I began researching the concept, my thoughts kept returning to my mother, Nefise.
She went through Postnatal Depression not once, but twice, after having me and then again with my younger brother, Ben. But that wasn’t all she was carrying. At the same time, she was trying to rebuild her life after escaping the Kosovan war. When I asked her why she didn’t reach out for help, her response stayed with me. She said she felt ashamed. She didn’t know how to express what she was feeling, and the language barrier made everything so much harder.
Writing Matrescence has been a deeply emotional journey. The subject is heavy, and there were moments when it was hard to keep going, especially knowing that my mum, someone I love so much, went through something like this. While it’s been painful at times, it’s also made me more determined to tell this story.
I want this film to be as accessible as possible. By focusing on our main character Heather’s emotional journey as a mother, my hope is that women, whoever they are and wherever they come from, can see themselves in her story. I want them to feel less alone, and to find a sense of comfort and even courage in their own lives.
Thank you so much for your encouragement and support.
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Erin Sian Thomas
Hi, I’m Erin, and I’m the producer of Matrescence.
Every new life deserves celebration, but too often, the focus is solely on the baby while the mother is left to face her struggles in silence. Postnatal Depression is an issue that’s frequently ignored, even though it affects so many women. Matrescence is here to open up the conversation, to help others understand the importance of supporting mothers as they navigate this challenging and often isolating journey.
Having been deeply inspired by the strength and resilience of the women around me, especially my mum, this story is profoundly personal. I want to help tell a story that acknowledges the struggles so many mothers face and raises awareness of the crucial support they need.
As the producer, I’m responsible for ensuring this vision comes to life, from managing budgets and schedules to coordinating and handling the logistics that make a film like this possible. Our team is putting immense effort into researching this sensitive topic, so we can represent it with the care and authenticity it deserves. This project is especially meaningful to us as it marks our last year at university. It’s a bittersweet moment, but we’re excited to create something that will leave a lasting impact. We can’t wait to share Matrescence with you, and with your support, we can make it a reality.
Thank you for helping us give a voice to those who need it most.
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What We Need & What You Get
We’re aiming to raise £2,500 to bring this story to life. The funds raised through this campaign will go directly towards ensuring that Matrescence is produced to the highest standards possible. Key expenses include:
- Actors and Additional Crew: Paying professional actors who can authentically portray the sensitive themes of the film, as well as compensating the crew for their invaluable contributions.
- Camera Lenses: We need to invest in specific lenses to capture the raw, gritty 2000s aesthetic we're aiming for, which will elevate the look and feel of the film.
- Locations: We need to secure suitable locations, whether by renting a house/flat or paying for public spaces, ensuring the settings match the 2000s vibe we're working towards.
- Transport and Accommodation: To ensure everyone can make it to set, we need funds to cover transport costs for cast and crew, as well as accommodation where necessary.
- Intimacy Coordinator: Given the delicate nature of the subject matter, we plan to hire a qualified intimacy coordinator to ensure the safety and comfort of the cast during sensitive scenes.
Every donation, big or small, helps us bring this important story to life and ensure it is made with the respect and quality it deserves.
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Perks for Backers
[Gold Tier]
Associate Producer Credit | £125
Earn an Associate Producer credit and be recognised as a major contributor to the making of Matrescence. Your support will forever be part of this project. You will also receive a digital copy of the film, before its official release.
The Complete Digital Media Package | £80
Get a downloadable package that includes everything we've digitally created for the film: music, poster and banner drafts, BTS photos, our BTS video, and a digital copy of the film. You’ll also be honoured with a "Heartfelt Thanks" credit at the end of the film.
Digital BTS Package & Poster | £60
You’ll get a digital download of BTS photos, our BTS video, and the film's poster. In addition, you'll be listed in the "Heartfelt Thanks" section at the end of the film, recognising your crucial role in the making of Matrescence.
[Silver Tier]
1hr Online Q&A | £45
Join an exclusive 1:1 online video call with the writer, director, and producer of Matrescence at a date/time that suits you. Ask us anything about the project, our careers, or what’s next for us!
Heartfelt Thanks | £30
Your name will appear in the "Heartfelt Thanks" section of the credits at the end of the film, where we honour you as a key supporter in bringing this project to life.
Early Access | £25
Get a digital download of the film before its official release—be one of the first to watch it!
Signed DVD | £15
Receive a DVD copy of the film, signed by the core crew members.
[Bronze Tier]
DVD | £10
Receive a copy of the film on DVD.
Digital Download | £5
Receive a high-quality digital download of the film once it’s released.
Thank You | £2
We will feature your name in a "Thank You" section on our film's website.
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The Impact
Your contribution will help us tell an important story and spark conversations around postnatal depression (PND). Women suffering from PND often feel isolated, with little support from the NHS. Many suffer in silence, overwhelmed by the stigma surrounding the condition. Too often, the focus is placed on the newborn, with little attention given to how the mother is really doing. A new baby brings joy and excitement, but for many mothers, it can also trigger feelings of inadequacy, sadness, and fear. Yet, all too often, women are told they should just "get on with it" and are left without the help they need.
As a result, PND can last far longer than it should. Some women are left to struggle, feeling ashamed of their emotions and afraid to reach out. The truth is, postnatal depression can affect anyone and is far more common than many realise. According to NHS statistics, 1 in 10 women develop PND, and this figure could be even higher when considering those who never seek help.
Our story aims to break down these barriers of silence and shame, and we want Matrescence to reach as wide an audience as possible to raise awareness. The NHS waiting list survey from PANDAs revealed the harsh reality many women face when seeking help for PND: “When I told my GP that I felt like I was nothing more than a care giver and that I had thoughts of harming myself and had intrusive thoughts that my baby would be harmed in an accident I was told “you’re a mum now, that’s how life is” and had to seek private help because the NHS lists were so long.” This powerful quote is a driving force behind our decision to make this film. It highlights the urgent need for better support for women experiencing postpartum depression, and we're committed to helping raise awareness and spark change.
Matrescence is a chance to give a voice to these mothers who have been overlooked and unheard for far too long. It’s a story that needs to be told, and we need your help to ensure it reaches the widest audience possible, raising awareness and sparking a much-needed conversation.
Our team has successfully produced numerous short films during our course, and we are determined to bring this project to life with the same passion and dedication. With your support, we can raise awareness, provide comfort to those who may be struggling in silence, and help ensure that no mother feels alone in her journey.
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Risks & Challenges
As we move forward with the production of Matrescence, we’re aware that several key challenges will require careful management, and securing adequate funding is essential to overcome them.
Firstly, finding the right locations is a priority. We need a house or flat, as well as more public spaces for shooting. If we cannot find locations that fit our needs, we may need to invest in production design to achieve the desired look. Our preferred style for the film aligns with a 2000s aesthetic, which will help keep production design costs lower, but finding locations that suit this vibe isn’t always possible.
Additionally, professional actors are crucial to the authenticity of the film. To accurately portray postpartum depression, we need performers with experience in similar roles or, ideally, experience with the condition itself. This will ensure the portrayal feels grounded and true to life, which means we will need the financial backing to cover their fees.
When it comes to intimate scenes, we understand the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment on set. Postnatal Depression is a sensitive subject, and we want to approach it with care. To ensure these scenes are handled professionally, we plan to secure an intimacy coordinator who will guide us in the rehearsal and filming process. This will help create a comfortable environment for our actors, ensuring that the portrayal is not only accurate but also respectful and safe for everyone involved.
Although we have access to university equipment, we plan to invest in additional camera lenses to achieve the gritty, raw look that defines the 2000s aesthetic. The lenses provided by the university tend to give a more polished, corporate feel, but we’re aiming for a more “dirty” and authentic vibe. These lenses will help us capture the tone we envision for the film and give the cinematography the edge we want while staying within our budget.
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Other Ways You Can Help
If 500 people donate £5, we will reach our goal. However, we understand that not everyone can contribute financially, and that's okay! There are still plenty of ways to support us. Sharing our campaign with friends, family, and across your social networks can make a huge difference. Every share helps us get one step closer to our target.
Please also follow our social media pages. We can be found on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
We are a group of eight passionate young filmmakers with a dream, and we truly believe that this story needs to be told. With your support, we can ensure it reaches as wide an audience as possible. Thank you for supporting Matrescence, for helping us make our final film at university, and for raising awareness about postnatal depression.
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IMPORTANT NOTES
1) If you’ve kindly supported our campaign and we don’t know you personally, please share your contact details with us. This will ensure we can deliver your selected perks and keep you updated on the project.
2) Some perks are listed with a fulfilment date of "01/01/2026"—please note that this is an estimate. Due to festival schedules, the film’s release date may be subject to slight delays. We ask that you please also provide us with your contact details so we can keep you updated and notify you if anything changes.
Thank you so incredibly much again for your kind support!