Sick of it - Short film
Devon, United Kingdom
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Aim
To fund our short film which explores childlike wonder, portrait of a place and taps into neurodivergence in a strict South-Asian family
What happens when the world around a neurodivergent kid doesn't nurture him?
'Sick of it' is a story about one such kid called 'Sukhi'.
(Taare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan, 2007)
Sukhi is an open-hearted and free spirited kid who's parents suppress who he is and refuse to acknowledge that he is different. 'Sick of it' aims to tap into Sukhi's mind and his childlike innocence, curiosity of the world and what it feels like to experience the world at this age.
(The Tree of life, Terrence Malick, 2011)
The film begins when Sukhi and his parents reach the final stop of their holiday. A campsite in South-Devon with an open field and a coastal view. While Sukhi's strict parents would never bring their "over excitable" kid to a place like this, it is however Devi's (Sukhi's mum) favourite spot. Throughout their summer holiday, Sukhi has not been able to finish his holiday homework as he finds it exceptionally boring and very hard to do. On this final stop of their holiday, his parents lock him in the van until he finishes his homework. All he wants is to be free and this film journeys with Sukhi on his quest to freedom with his newfound friend Henry.
(Little Miss Sunshine, Valerie Faris, Jonathan Dayton, 2006)
Why now?
There are not many films tapping into an expereince such as this one especially in a South-Asian household setting and I (Vivek Bhadra, Writer & Director) want to try and bring my own expereince to screen. It's a film that needs representing but it is also close to me as it is loosely based off of my own feelings as a kid.
Sensorily, I have always experienced the world fairly intensely and it was even more intense as a child. The expanse of the world and the beauty of a place synchronised in one gust of wind as I walked through the barren lands of the Indian countryside. There is a specific feeling that a few of us experience in certain open places like the one 'Sick of it' will be shot on. It's almost a blend of warmth, comfort, a tinge of melancholia, almost a sort of longing. This is what I wish to translate to the screen.
Our Crew
Vivek Bhadra: Writer & Director
Vivek Bhadra has a passion for all things creative, however film is where he is most himself. His focus is on moments that pass us by, bits of every day, everything in front of us that is fleeting. This is the feeling he intends to evoke in his films, and he is beginning with ‘Sick of it’, his debut short film as a writer, director. Prior to this, Vivek specialised in cinematography and has been mentored by some of the finest talent in London. He graduated from London College of Communication, UAL with a BA in Film Practice and did a Masters in Philosophy from Birkbeck, UOL.
Tansy West: Producer
Tansy West is a multidisciplinary artist based in Devon. She graduated from UAL in 2023 with a BA degree in Fine Art: Photography. She has exhibited her work across multiple galleries in London and has been published in several journals and zines including Colechi: A Green Culture. She has previously directed her own stop-motion films but loves all aspects of filmmaking. Naturally, she dove head-first into producing this project.
Justin Carter: Co-producer & 1st Ad
Justin Carter is a multi award-winning filmmaker with a history of work in short and feature films, documentaries, television drama, entertainment shows, music promos, and corporate videos.
His debut feature, "Torn: a Shock Youmentary", is ranked among the "10 Best Supernatural Horror Movies Of The Last Decade" (Screen Rant Sep 15, 2020).
As well as work behind a camera, he has also sold a number of feature length screenplays to film studios.
His reputation as one of the leading filmmakers in the South West of England has earned him a seat on judge and jury panels on several film festivals around the world."
Ben Mellor-Heslop: DOP
Madeline Baxter: Editor
Madeline Baxter is a south-west based filmmaker, specialising in post-production and mixed media. She is passionate about telling stories rooted in memory ,lived experiences and identity, through an experimental lens.
Daniel Howard-Baker: DIT
Daniel is a film editor and archivist by day and an award-winning writer / director by night. After graduating from the University of Westminster in 2021, he has since worked on shorts, features, documentaries and fiction that have gone onto festival and award recognition in national and international screenings. Most notably W: A Return to Oz which has won awards and screened at the Doc'n Roll, London Breeze, Romford Film, Sunrise Film Festival and more. Returning to Plymouth, he is keen to explore the storytelling potential within the South West - delighted to be part of this year's new Phoenix commission 'Sick of It' as a DIT.
Executive Producers: Jonas Hawkins, Luke Hagan & Claire Horrocks
Your Help
‘Sick of it’ has been awarded funding from Exeter Phoenix’s Devon Short Film Commission. We are thrilled to be working with Exeter Phoenix, but we still need to raise more funds to help us through production!
Your donations will directly fund the ‘Sick of it’ production including:
- transport costs
- food for the crew
- loaning out equipment
- accommodation
- location costs
- contingency
- festival submissions
And importantly we want to create a welcoming environment on set for our neurodivergent crew. We need funds to ensure we can make accommodations and help everyone feel safe.
We appreciate any and all donations, thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to read our campaign!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 20th September 2026 at 7:41pm