British filmmaker Calvin Demba has assembled a notable cast for his second short film as director, titled ‘The Animals.’ The project stars George MacKay in the lead role of Miles, with Louisa Harland, Nathalie Emmanuel and Eric Kofi Abrefa in supporting roles. The film was produced by Tuli Litvak and written and directed by Demba.
The narrative centers on Miles, a man confronting feelings of inadequacy within his romantic relationship with Remona, portrayed by Harland. When another man’s heroic actions during a violent home invasion present an opportunity for Miles to reassert his sense of masculine identity, circumstances escalate in unexpected ways. Through these events, the protagonist must grapple with the harmful masculine ideals influencing his behavior and worldview.
Demba has described the work as a satirical examination of gender stereotypes and their influence on intimate relationships. He characterized the film as darkly comic in tone while maintaining grounded realism in its depiction of violence, with the threat of harm serving as a reflection of broader cultural conversations surrounding masculinity. The project was shot on 16mm earlier this year with cinematography by Ebba Hult and editing by Mdhamiri Á Nkemi, with grading by Jodie Davison.
The short film will premiere at a major festival that qualifies for BAFTA and Academy Award recognition, with the specific venue to be revealed soon. Demba is concurrently in early development discussions with the BFI regarding a feature-length expansion of the project.
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