A HollyShorts Casestudy
Narrative | Dramatic Features.
Film: FarEye.
Genre: Drama.
Date: January 2026.
Director: Hayden Mclean.
Producer: Harold Salakianathan, Robert.A Maylor, Hayden Mclean, Joel Honeywell, Ade O’Adesina.
Writer: Hayden Mclean.
Cinematographer: Joel Honeywell.
Production Company: Soul Rebel Productions.
Budget: $25K.
Financing: Self Financed.
Shooting Format: Digital.
Screening Format: DCP.
World Premiere: Raindance.
Website.
The Official Trailer for FarEye
Watch The Trailer for FarEye Directed by Hayden Mclean
Of Hayden Mclean
I am a British Actor/Writer/Filmmaker and founder of Soul Rebel Productions. I’ve had a passion for storytelling. I challenge tradition and stereotypes of the black experience in media. My professional acting debut was at London’s Old Vic theatre. I also appeared in Michael Boyd’s acclaimed production of the Cherry Orchard. At the Bristol Old Vic and the Manchester Royal Exchange.
I appeared in Debbie Tucker Green’s play Ear For Eye. At London’s Royal Court theatre and also featured in the BBC/BFI film adaptation. Which released in 2021 after a successful global festival run. I played Jakob. The lead in Remi Laudat’s debut film Mi O LE KÚ. Which won awards at an array of global film festivals.
My creativity has taken from in front of to also behind the Camera. I’ve recently completed my directorial debut film The Last Dance. I present FarEye a Powerful Caribbean Story of Spiritual Awakening and Resilience
The Hayden Mclean Interview
indieactivity: What is your film about?
Hayden Mclean (HM): FarEye is a 13-minute short film about Khalil. A young boy who flees an abusive home and finds refuge within a secluded Rastafari community in rural Jamaica. Through music, faith and community, he begins a spiritual awakening that changes the course of his life. The film explores belonging, healing and community. It began with a single image that came to me after watching Rockers (1978) A young boy running through the Jamaican countryside. From that image grew a story about spirituality, identity and the search for home.
Tell us about the festival run, marketing and sales?
Hayden Mclean (HM): FarEye premiered at Raindance Film Festival before making its international premiere at Palm Springs ShortFest, where it received a nomination for Best Live Action Short (Under 15 Minutes). It will later since screen at festivals including Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, HollyShorts and Bolton Film Festival. Our strategy has centered on a global launch at leading BAFTA, BIFA and Academy Award-qualifying festivals while introducing audiences to an authentic Jamaican story. Supported by Rebekah Louisa Smith (Film Festival Dr) Alongside the festival campaign, we produced a press kit, trailer and promotional assets, with PR led by London Flair PR. Sales discussions are ongoing as we continue the festival run.
Give the full Official Synopsis for your film?
Hayden Mclean (HM): Fleeing an abusive home and a world that has cast him aside, Khalil, a lost Jamaican boy finds refuge within a secluded Rastafarian community deep in Jamaica’s rural heartlands. Initially guarded and burdened by the violence of his past, he struggles to trust those who welcome him. But through music, wisdom and community, Khalil embarks on a profound spiritual awakening. As he sheds the weight of his past, he discovers that true freedom is not found in escape but peace within. FarEye is a story of survival, spirituality and redemption that asks: Can we ever truly be free if we do not first free ourselves?
Development & Financing?
Hayden Mclean (HM): FarEye began with a single image inspired by Rockers (1978): a young boy running through the Jamaican countryside in. From there, I developed the screenplay around that single image and my reflections on Jamaica’s landscapes and the Island I know. Rastafari spirituality and the universal search for belonging was I wanted to present a side of Jamaica rarely seen on screen. The film was independently self-financed through Soul Rebel Productions, giving us complete creative freedom. We assembled an experienced international team united by a shared belief in telling an authentic Caribbean story without compromise.
Production?
Hayden Mclean (HM): FarEye was filmed over three days on location across St. Andrew and St. Catherine, Jamaica, with a predominantly Jamaican cast and crew working alongside key UK collaborators. We carefully planned the schedule to maximise the island’s natural landscapes and light while keeping the production agile. Postproduction was completed in London, where editing, sound design, color grading, visual effects and the original score came together through close collaboration with our team to shape the film’s final emotional journey.
Festival Preparation & Strategy?
Hayden Mclean (HM): Our strategy focused on launching FarEye through leading BAFTA, BIFA and Academy Award-qualifying festivals and festivals with strong reputations for championing emerging filmmakers and international narratives . Raindance provided the most world premiere having supported my debut short The Last Dance, before Palm Springs ShortFest introduced the film internationally. Festival consultant Rebecca Louisa Smith (The Film Festival Doctor) played an important role in helping shape our submission strategy, our priority has always been building meaningful industry relationships while connecting with audiences worldwide with the film’s themes of spirituality, healing and hope.
The Release?
Hayden Mclean (HM): FarEye is currently being released through its international festival run. Our focus is on building momentum through festivals before announcing plans for a wider public release.
Advice from the Filmmaker?
Hayden Mclean (HM): Be bold and tell the story only you can tell. Audiences connect with authenticity more than trends. Surround yourself with collaborators who can help elevate your work and don’t wait for permission to make meaningful work. In an era of reboots and sameness your stories are necessary. We will be the generation that shifts culture, but that work begins at the first step.
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