"Tyrant" — Short Film (MetFilm Final MA Project)

Aim

We’re raising funds for our final MA project TYRANT, a bold period short film about power, loss, faith, and identity.

ABOUT TYRANT

Logline: Based on a true story: set in C17th.

Most of our team is volunteering their time. We just need a final push to bring the world of Tyrant to life with authentic costumes, real locations, and unforgettable visuals. 

THE STORY

Set in England in 1688. Based on true events, Tyrant is an intimate portrait of power and loss, a short film that brings history to life with visual richness, emotional weight, and quiet urgency.

WHY DO WE NEED HELP?

Most of our cast and crew are donating their time and talent. We’re students, artists, and early-career filmmakers pooling our resources together. But there are some things we can’t get for free.

We need your help to cover:

•⁠  ⁠Costume materials and rentals

•⁠  ⁠Location fees

•⁠  ⁠Catering for cast & crew

•⁠  ⁠Transport and accommodation

•⁠  ⁠Entry fees to festivals

Any contribution—big or small—goes directly to what you see on screen.

ABOUT US

WHY THIS STORY? AND WHY NOW?

Julia is the writer, director and producer of “Tyrant.” The story has lived in Julia’s mind for years now. It’s a project close to her heart, a vision she’s been nurturing, refining, and holding onto.

Reuben as Director of Photography has always been drawn to period pieces. The layered textures, the painterly light, the way visual storytelling can elevate the emotional world of a character. As soon as he heard Julia’s idea, the images began forming instantly in his mind — stark, moody, visceral.

Yara joined the project assisting with the production side, because the intrigue was too delicious to resist. A case of mistaken identity — with a king? That’s storytelling gold. But more than that, she believes in Julia and Reuben’s vision and wants to help bring it to life with the depth and ambition it deserves.

We’re telling a story set in the 17th century, but the questions it raises are deeply contemporary. What happens when the powerful are finally held to account? What does it feel like to lose everything when your identity is built on authority? And most importantly: who do we become when we’re forced to sit in silence?

In a time where conversations around justice, abuse of power, and collective voice feel more urgent than ever, Tyrant looks back, not to glorify the past, but to confront it. 

As filmmakers, we’re drawn to this project not just because it’s historical, but because it’s human. Beneath the wigs and flickering candlelight is a story of collapse, confusion, and tolerance. And in a world that so often feels like it’s spinning through crises, we believe stories like this one are more vital than ever.

HOW YOUR DONATION HELPS

We’ve already saved thousands by working with collaborators and student resources. We’ve secured student crew and most of our equipment. Here’s what your donation helps pay for:

•⁠  ⁠Costumes: £1,500

•⁠  ⁠Art Department: £700

•⁠  ⁠Locations: £700

•⁠  ⁠Cast & Crew Accommodation: £800

•⁠  ⁠Catering & Transport: £1,300

•⁠  ⁠Distribution & Contingency: £1,000

This project successfully funded on 23rd August 2025