THE BRIGHTNESS

When a group of teenagers reunite to memorialise their friend’s passing, latecomer Jed is forced to confront his unresolved grief before his erratic behaviour ruptures the sacred evening and severs the remaining relationships he has left.

Teenagers Harry and Frank are trying to get in contact with Jed — who is late for a gathering to memorialise their childhood friend James, one year after his passing. When their phone call diverts to Jed’s voicemail, James’ mother Suzy makes the decision to leave the house and start the ritual without him.

As Suzy leads Harry and Frank toward a sacred spot at the end of the beach, Jed calls out from behind them — disrupting the stillness with his exuberant energy. The others are relieved to see him, though a little wary of his off-kilter mood.

At the waterline, Harry and Frank reflect in silence as Suzy makes a tribute to James by releasing a small driftwood boat into the ocean. Jed struggles to connect with the heaviness of the moment and lights up a cigarette, which disturbs Harry and Frank from their own personal goodbyes.

After the ritual, the group walks back in the direction of the house. The ever energetic Jed bounces around the water’s edge. Hurling his body between two large rocks, he stumbles, and lands fully submerged in the shallow water. Jed yells back to the others to join him for a swim but they reject his offer and keep walking on.

Back at the house, Jed parades around the kitchen in his underwear and helps himself to a beer. As night falls, we sense the collective dread from Suzy, Harry and Frank at the prospect of managing Jed’s unpredictable behaviour for the remainder of the evening.

When Jed takes things too far, the fragile peace is disrupted and everyone is forced to confront their feelings of resentment, guilt and unresolved grief.

Genre: Drama (Short)

Released: September 2025

Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (Colour)

Language: English

Duration: 12:30