Safe is a BFI Network funded short film
from Big Buddha Films and Wellington Films

Starring Laura Bayston and James Nelson-Joyce

Writer/Director - Debbie Howard
Producers - Rachel Robey and Al Clark
Exec Producers - Ben Taylor, Debbie Howard and Laura Bayston
Cinematographer - Gabi Norland
Sound Recordist - Adam Fletcher
Editor - Julie Buckland
Sound Designer -Emma Butt
Production Designer - Elly Langlois
Costume - Sally Hodgson
Make up and Hair Designer - Catherine Burdett Smith

Safe is funded by BFI Network with National Lottery funding
With support from The Violence Reduction Unit at South Yorkshire Police and Lush

Awards and Nominations

Aesthetica Film Festival 2023
Winner - Best Director
Winner - Best Screenplay

Wimbledon Film Festival 2024
Winner - Best UK Film

Oxford Shorts Film Festival 2024
Winner - Best Director
Nominated - Best Actress

Imagine This Women’s Film Festival New York 2024
Winner - Best Drama

Short and Sweet Film Festival 2024
Winner - Best Film ‘Made in Yorkshire.’

Seville Film Festival 2024
Winner - Best Actor

Short Focus Film Festival 2024
Winner - Silver Frame - Best Picture

Bradford International Film Festival 2024
Winner - Best Over 50s Film

16 Days 16 Films
Winner - Audience Award

Women Over 50 Film Festival
Winner - commended - Best Drama

Birmingham Film Festival 2024
Nominated - Best Short Film, Best Cinematography, The Bull Award

Ignite Film Festival 2024
Nominated - Best Narrative Short, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor

Women X Film Festival 2024
Nominated - Best British Film, Best Ensemble Performance

Spirit of Independence Film Festival 2024
Nominated - Best Performance in a short film

Tees Valley Film Festival 2024
Nominated - Best Drama

Bolton Film Festival 2024
Nominated - Best Film Made Up North

Southport Film Festival 2024
Nominated - Best in Category - North of England

Soho London Film Festival 2025
Nominated - Best Drama & Best Social Impact Film

'This film managed the incredibly challenging feat of sustaining its tension and sense of claustrophobia until the very final frame. Its intelligent, non-showy direction served the naturalism of the performances, which in turn brought its excellent screenplay to life. Thrilling, vital and elegant - it is simple and uncluttered in all the best ways. This is a film full of nuance and commitment on both sides of the camera.’
Harry MacQueen
Writer/Director of Supernova, starring Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci

Film Festivals & Screenings

Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2023
Norwich Film Festival 2023
225 Film Club 2023
Leeds International Film Festival 2023
Bright Film Festival 2023
Northampton Film Festival 2024
Jacksonville Film Festival 2024
Short Stack 2024
Sevilla Indie Film Festival 2024
Sunderland Short Film Festival 2024
Ignite Film Festival 2024
Sleight of Hand, Exeter 2024
Sunrise Film Festival 2024
Mansfield Town Film Festival 2024
Southport International Film Festival 2024
Short and Sweet Yorkshire 2024
Folkstone Film Festival 2024
Bolton Film Festival 2024
Short Focus Film Festival 2024
The Women’s Film Festival 2024
Indie Street Film Festival 2024
Women Over 50 Film Festival 2024
Imagine This International Film Festival 2024
Oxford Shorts 2024
This is England 2024
British Urban Film Festival 2024
Women X Film Festival 2024
Spirit of Independence 2024
BFI Network Northern Exposure Cinema tour 2024
Wimbledon Short Film Festival 2024
Leeds Flix 2024
Tees Valley International Film Festival 2024
Bradford Film Festival 2024
Aesthetica Short Film Festival (Guest Programme) 2024
Showroom Shorts 2024
The Soho London Film Festival 2024
Birmingham Film Festival 2024
UK Film Festival 2024
16 Days, 16 Films 2024
British Film Week, Bruz, France 2025
Winchester Film Festival 2025
Director’s Notes 2025
Sydney Women’s International Film Festival 2025

Watch the Safe interview at This is England Film Festival, Rouen.
Article and review in Exposed Magazine
Article in Sheffield Star
Aesthetica Winners article
Aesthetica Winners announcement