Always on
This project successfully funded on 12th November 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Through The Eyes of Bairns Short Film
Cheadle, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Aim
Through The Eyes of Bairns is a short film exploring what it's like to grow up as a child of domestic abuse.
About our film...
Through The Eyes of Bairns is a 15 minute short film that explores what it's like to grow up as a child of domestic abuse and and asks the question - does everyone deserve forgiveness?
The story...
Rose hasn’t seen her estranged father, Ivan, since he beat her up and threw her out for being gay over twenty years ago. Now, he’s on his deathbed and wants to see her, although she’s a world away from her humble working class beginnings, Rose reluctantly agrees to go and see him and secretly hopes she might finally get an apology from the man who caused her so much pain.
Through a series of in-the-moment talks and flashbacks to influential moments in her life, Rose finally gets to tell Ivan the effect he’s had on her. Ivan eventually apologises, but when Rose realises his words are hollow, she soon learns that not everyone deserves forgiveness. With her mum, Lesley, unable to leave and Rose more affected by seeing her dad again by she let on, this film is a realistic potrayal of domestic abuse - both as a partner and as a child.
Why we want to make this film...
Director, Katie Fenton-Green's statement:
I want to make this film because it’s important to highlight the impact of physical and emotional abuse on children and partners, and because there are still so many people that don’t realise they are in a ‘coercive control’ situation. I was in that type of relationship and didn’t realise at the time because my abuse wasn’t physical, and therefore I didn’t feel like I had legitimate reasons to reach out to people that could help. I would also hope that there would be some kind of cathartic reaction from an audience that has never had a chance to say what they needed to say to an abusive partner or family member.
Writer, Chloe McLaughlin's statement:
We often see domestic abuse stories told from the perspective of the spouse but I'm keen to tell a story that explores what it's like to grow up as a child in a domestically abusive household. Because, fundamentally, as a child that's not something you necessarily understand. After all, it's a norm. Don't all daddies hit their mummies when they get mad? Aren't all little girls scared of upsetting their daddy in case he loses his temper and shouts? Don't all daddies call their little girls names?
I want to tell stories that matter, stories that might feel taboo and stories that feel untold. Using lived-experience, this film will do just that and offer a new perspective on domestic abuse and the long-lasting effects it has for childhood survivors.
But the basic reason I want to make this film boils down to one simple statement. This isn't just the film I wanted to see, this is the film I needed to see.
Producer, Paris Rogers statement:
As a producer, I want to bring Through The Eyes of Bairns to life because it tells a story that is both urgent and deeply underrepresented. So often domestic abuse is framed only through the partner’s experience, but this film shines a light on the hidden, long-lasting impact it has on children and the lifelong scars it leaves behind. I believe in stories that don’t just entertain but also challenge, provoke, and ultimately create empathy. By producing this film, I want to amplify the core teams lived experiences with the creative and professional support the project deserves, and to ensure it reaches audiences who may see themselves reflected for the first time. This isn’t just a film to watch, it’s a film that could help people recognise their own situation, and perhaps find the courage to seek change.
On a personal level, I feel a strong responsibility to platform stories that are socially relevant and emotionally resonant, particularly ones that give voice to those who are too often silenced. Through The Eyes of Bairns does exactly that. It blends authenticity with cinematic vision to create something powerful, truthful, and necessary. My aim as producer is not only to shepherd the film through its practical and creative stages but also to ensure it has the reach and impact it deserves, connecting with audiences at festivals, in community screenings, and beyond. I want to make sure it has the best possible platform to be seen.
Meet the core team...
Director - Katie Fenton-Green
Katie is an ambitious drama director with over 20 years experience in television.
Katie is creative, organised, methodical and has a good eye for detail and a comprehensive understanding of story. She’s used to working to tight schedules and production budgets and always develops good, respectful relationships with the cast and crew.
After working as a Script Supervisor in continuing drama, Katie became a director and has directed episodes of both Emmerdale and Coronation Street. She also shadowed on Waterloo Road.
In 2023, Katie took part in the Directors UK Inspire and Mentoring Scheme. Katie is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Writer - Chloe McLaughlin
Chloe is an experienced writer who has written for both stage and screen. Having written extensively for theatre, Chloe’s written both long and short plays and has had her work performed in theatres such as The Lowry Studio, Hope Mill Theatre and 53Two. Chloe’s written for many companies including Take Back Theatre (led by Julie Hesmondhalgh, Becx Harrison and Grant Archer) and HiveNorth (led by Adam Zane).
Chloe is currently taking part in the BFI Script Lab programme with FilmHubNorth and is part of the NewWritingNorth/Channel 4 Bradford Script Hub. In the 2025, BBC Writersroom Open Call, Chloe's spec script Hands, Face, Space got down to the final 1% out of over 6000 scripts. Chloe also took part in ImagineIf's Writer's Toolbox programme in 2023 and won a Best Writer award in 2018.
As well as being a writer, Chloe is an experienced Storyliner for ITV Studios and has storylined over 1000 episodes of Emmerdale. Prior to this, Chloe worked as a journalist and is fully trained and NCTJ-accredited.
Chloe’s work often focusses on championing working class, northern and/or LGBTQ+ voices.
Producer - Paris Rogers
Paris is a dynamic and driven producer working across theatre, television, and short film. With a passion for character-led storytelling and a sharp instinct for talent and collaboration, she brings a wealth of experience in production management, creative development and audience engagement. Her producing credits span broadcast, touring theatre, and digital content, including as an Assistant Producer at the BBC, where she contributed to both scripted development and live production. She has successfully delivered national tours, managed large-scale budgets, and worked across all stages of production — from casting and contracts to scheduling, marketing, and post-production.
Paris is the founder of Päi Productions, an independent company with a focus on bold, inclusive storytelling of Women. Under her leadership, the company has secured funding from Arts Council England, GMCA, and corporate sponsors, with work staged at 53two, Waterside Arts, Warrington Arts Centre, and the Edinburgh Fringe. She recently produced Brand New Ancients, led the creation of professionally filmed showreels for The Arden School of Theatre — resulting in their most successful year of graduate signings — and continues to champion emerging creatives and underrepresented voices.
Paris currently has a television drama in development with Saffron Cherry Productions and is committed to making work that is emotionally resonant, socially relevant, and creatively ambitious. With a track record of delivering high-quality projects on time and on budget.
Our Crew
We'll be using a highly experienced crew, many of whom currently work in the industry. We'll also be offering positions to new entrants to the industry and support them in getting their first foot in the door.
Meet the cast...
This film has an experienced and high profile cast. We'll be announcing them on social media over the next few weeks and then we will also list them here.
MICHELLE HARDWICK - Rose
SYDNEY MARTIN - Young Adult Rose
JOHN MIDDLETON - Ivan
MARC BAYLIS - Younger Ivan
ISABEL FORD - Lesley
KRISSI BOHN - Becs
Themes/Audience
MAIN THEME - The reality of growing up in a domestically abusive household.
Other themes - Working Class, LGBTQI+ Identity, Northern, Trauma, Loneliness, Family Estrangement, Love, Complicated Family Dynamics, Police.
We’d love to appeal to survivors of domestic abuse, and other people with lived experience of the subject matter - in particular, children of domestically abusive parents. We’d also like to appeal working class, northern and LGBT audience as well as to short film and festival goers, industry professionals and artists.
Production Plans
Whilst we've applied for other funding, we've not had much luck in securing any so far. We were selected as finalists for Slick Films' fund but unfortunately we didn't win the main prize. Making a film isn't cheap, therefore, we're crowdfunding so that we can really get this film off the ground. All of our cast and crew have offered to give up their time for free but we'd love to be able to pay our creatives and ensure no-one is out of pocket.
We're currently hoping to record the film in January. This will be done on the weekends as everyone on the film works during the week.
Outcomes
We will host two initial screenings for cast, crew and industry professionals in Manchester and Leeds. After this, we intend to show the film on the festival circuit before eventually putting it online (YouTube, Vimeo etc.) so that everyone can access this film and see it's important message.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made