Always on
This project successfully funded on 30th April 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
A Van Full of Beagles
Stourbridge, United Kingdom
Aim
A Van Full of Beagles is a short film highlighting the plight of beagles in testing facilities.
One night. One van. One choice that could change everything.
It’s Christmas Eve, just outside of Birmingham. The story follows Esther, a woman with a devastating cargo. A van full of beagle puppies destined for testing.
A Van Full of Beagles is a story about grief, morality, and the quiet acts of courage.
Join us in bringing this intimate, and important story to life, and help shine a light on compassion, resilience, and love.
THE INSPIRATION
The story is inspired by real experiences. While working at LUSH, I learned about the beagles used in testing and met volunteers working tirelessly to rescue them. Grassroots groups camped outside breeding facilities, committed to saving these dogs often at personal cost. Their courage became the heart of this story.
Esther’s journey also draws from my own life, losing my father at a young age and growing up with my mum, and witnessing the resilience, love, and humour that can sustain us through hardship. I’m passionate about making this film because I want it to inspire real change. With several beagle facilities closing in the US this year, it’s proof that progress is possible! This story can help shine a light on that momentum and encourage more action.
How far would you go to do the right thing when the world asks you to look the other way?
THE NIGHT SHIFT
A Van Full of Beagles is a character-driven, narrative short set against the Midlands’ urban, industrial, and quiet countryside edges. The van itself is a key visual and emotional element... a confined, lived-in space filled with personal items, a worn interior, and a sense of constant movement.
Planned shoots include:
- Exterior van driving shots on private roads or industrial estates
- Stationary interior shots for intimate moments with Esther and the puppies
- Night shoots with careful lighting and temperature management
Visual & Sound Approach:
- High-grain, textured cinematography with natural lighting
- Handheld camera for intimacy, softer movements for emotional beats
- Sound design emphasizes the beagles’ presence without over-stressing the animals, blending music, ambient noises, and foley
Composer & Music:
- Joanna Karselis - BAFTA member, experienced in music and emotive scoring
- Jon Wilks - folk-inspired elements grounding the film in Midlands’ sound and spirit
Inspirations:
MEET THE TEAM
Our team is made up of experienced filmmakers deeply committed to independent storytelling.
Director, Murphee Thompson, an actor and filmmaker from Birmingham, was a finalist for the Slick Films Fund 2025 and shortlisted for The Pitch 2024 for A Van Full of Beagles. As well as A Van Full of Beagles receiving an Honourable Mention from Silver Screen and Kodak. Her shorts The Roaring and Headspace have screened at BAFTA-affiliated festivals.
Co-director, Yasmin Godo, a 2025 BAFTA x BFI FlARE mentee, is an award-winning filmmaker whose work spans social realism and experimental storytelling, gaining recognition both in the UK and internationally.
Producer, Juliana Kilburn, founder of Wolf & Viper Films and 317 Productions, specializes in female-led projects and emerging talent, with a strong track record of bringing ambitious, meaningful stories to life.
Director of Photography, Faith Glenister, has worked on major productions including Barbie (2023), Forbidden Love on the Shores of Greece (2022), and The Thomas Crown Affair (2027). She was nominated for Best Cinematographer at the BAFTA-affiliated Underwire Film Festival and brings extensive experience and a keen cinematic eye to the project.
Together, this female led team combines experience, creativity, and a shared commitment to telling intimate, character-driven stories that leave a lasting impact.
OUR PLAN
Timeline
- Tech Scouts & Pre-Production - June / July 2026
- Principal Photography - July / September 2026
- Post-Production - October 2026
- Festival Submissions & Distribution - October 2026 onwards
Facing the Challenges
Filming A Van Full of Beagles comes with unique challenges. From cold night shoots to working with beagles and driving scenes. We’ll keep everyone safe and comfortable with heated tents, warm blankets, hot meals, and a small, focused crew. Licensed handlers will care for the puppies, giving them breaks and using controlled van sets when needed. Driving scenes will be filmed safely on private roads, with experienced actors behind the wheel.
We’ve built in buffer days, backup locations, and extra equipment to handle unexpected delays or technical issues. Every challenge is planned for, so we can focus on bringing Esther, Sam, and the beagles to life safely and beautifully.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Your support allows us to bring this story to life with ethical animal treatment, cinematic visuals, and immersive sound. Funds cover:
- Crew & cast fees (including animal handlers)
- Equipment & lighting rentals
- Location permits & travel
- Post-production (editing, sound, grading)
- Festival submission & impact outreach
- A portion of your donation will go towards Animal Free Research UK.
AIM AND REWARDS
By reaching our £10,000 target, we can take the first step toward bringing this amazing film to life. Every pledge, big or small, brings A Van Full of Beagles closer to the screen! Backers will be rewarded with a range of special perks, including personal thank-you emails, digital posters, early access to the film, exclusive Beagle-themed merchandise, opportunities to join a director Q&A, and even the chance to spend a day on set or appear as an extra.
RISKS & CARE
We’re transparent about the challenges…
Night shoots, animals, weather, child actors, and driving scenes. Our experienced team has handled similar productions, with safety protocols and contingencies to protect cast, crew, and animals.
AWARDS AND SELECTIONS
The screenplay has received the following recognition. And now, with your support, we're ready to turn it into a powerful short film. :
FINALIST – Slick Films Fund 2025
HONOURABLE MENTION – Silver Screen and Kodak 2025
SHORTLISTED – The Pitch Film Fund 2024
THANK YOU
This is more than a short film…A Van Full of Beagles brings Esther, Sam, and the puppies to life.
Your support doesn’t just help us make this film; it helps spark conversations, inspires empathy, and proves that small acts of courage can ripple outward into something much bigger! A feature-length story, and ultimately, a movement for compassion and change.
Join us. Drive into the night. Witness the journey. Be part of a story that matters.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made