![]()
'Black Dog' is a haunting and atmospheric short film about trauma, mental health and grief set amidst the unforgiving Yorkshire moorland.
The story follows the journey of a son returning home to confront his troubled past and the dark legacy that still haunts his family. Set against the backdrop of the dreary, sweeping moorlands, the film unfolds the traumatic fractured relationship between a father and son. As we uncover deeper, the film explores themes of grief, guilt and the struggle to break free from the shackles of the past.
Supported by the BFI, the Kurious, South Yorkshire Filmmakers Network, Enon Films and the Spirit of Independence film festival, this film is a project that draws together a fantastic set of entities to produce a profound and original piece of work.
![]()
‘BLACK DOG’ is a harrowing, captivating short film currently in production. Winning this year's ‘Emerging Script to Screen’ competition, hosted by the BIFA qualifying Spirit of Independence Festival, we are thrilled to bring the script to the big screen. But to fully realise the vision of ‘Black Dog’ we need your help in funding the filming and editing stages of the film. Any form of contribution will not only help us bring this haunting tale to life but also helps nurture the skills and development of our talented production team.
By supporting ‘Black Dog’ you become an integral part of our journey, helping us to produce a short film that will not only serve as a fantastic showcase of talent and creativity in Yorkshire but also to bring a powerful and impactful film to life.
Join us in making "Black Dog" a reality and let this extraordinary project serve as a testament to our collective passion and commitment to storytelling.
![]()
The location for our short film is none other than the breathtaking Yorkshire Dales National Park, home to Yorkshire's loneliest house—3 Blea Moor. Nestled within the haunting landscapes of the moorland, this secluded and derelict old signal box cottage serves as the perfect setting for our moody harrowing short film, 'Black Dog.'
![]()
The captivating allure of this remote location adds an air of mystery and isolation to the film, enhancing its atmospheric and haunting qualities. By supporting our crowdfunder, you contribute to the realisation of a powerful narrative set amidst the stunning backdrop of Yorkshire's loneliest house, showcasing the unique beauty of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the profound impact it has on our storytelling.
![]()
'Black Dog' is a short film written by Ed Kirk and produced by Sheffield video production company, Open House Pictures. With a passionate and experienced team, we can’t wait to bring Black Dog to the big screen.
![]()
ED KIRK - WRITER/DIRECTOR
Ed Kirk is our brilliant writer and director, with vast experience producing both shorts and feature films in a multitude of genres. Ed works inventively with low budgets to create work that looks and feels like high-quality film productions. His projects span science fiction, medieval fantasy and his latest feature film, Future Soldier, is now available on streaming platforms. Ed’s talented writing won this year's Spirit of Independence Emerging Script to Screen Competition, making 'Black Dog' its 2023 winner.
![]()
BEN COLLIN - DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Ben is our experienced Director of Photography, having shot over eleven feature films and working with high-profile clients. Ben brings his creative and stylistic cinematography to every project he works on, utilising his vast knowledge and skillset in camerawork and lighting design to craft memorable atmospheric detail. Ben and our director Ed have collaborated on numerous projects including their recent feature film, Future Solider.
![]()
(Left to right: Joseph Palmer and Dan Bale)
OPEN HOUSE PICTURES / JOSEPH PALMER AND DAN BALE - PRODUCERS
Since 2017 we’ve lived and breathed filmmaking, our talented team stretch across both creative and commercial industries to produce high-production quality work. Coming off the back of our fantastic new short film, Dead Skin, our team are more than excited to get our teeth stuck into our next short film project. Now well-versed in funding and producing short films, our expertise lends to crafting real and authentic stories with true-to-life themes and imagery.
Below is a video featuring the behind-the-scenes of our latest short, Dead Skin;
![]()
Inspired by films such as The Banshees of Inisherin, The Lighthouse and Green Knight, 'BLACK DOG' is a folk-horror-tinged short, set in a bleak, atmospheric world. At its core, 'Black Dog' is a story about a Father and Son, and their relationship. Looking at dramas such as Aftersun and Dark River also inspired elements of the short. Both moving and unsettling, the short will also draw from folk tales and myths of the titular beast: a fell omen, haunting crossroads and tormenting lost travellers.
Below is a sample of Black Dog's mood board:
![]()
![]()
As with our last project, Black Dog is initially supported by the Spirit of Independence film festival with a grant of £500 as a starting point.
Therefore, in order to produce the film to the best standard possible, we are focusing our funding on production costs as opposed to crewing costs. Everyone involved in the short is giving up their time to make what will be a thrilling and excellent piece of work.
The main core elements of our budget are divided into the following:
![]()
CAST & CREW: Our dedicated crew is generously donating their time and expertise to ‘Black Dog.’ However, we strongly believe in taking care of our team and ensuring their well-being throughout the production. Your support will help us provide them with the necessary resources and support they deserve.
-
EQUIPMENT: To capture the atmospheric cinematic style and tone of 'Black Dog,' we require top-notch camera equipment. Your contribution will enable us to acquire the right tools and ensure that our visuals are of the highest quality.
-
CONSUMABLES: From batteries to cables and everything in between, these small yet crucial components ensure that our equipment and setups are always ready to go. Your contribution will assist us in acquiring these nitty-gritty essentials.
-
LOCATIONS: ‘Black Dog’’ encompasses a diverse range of locations to bring the harrowing story to life. Each setting adds depth and atmosphere to the story. Your donation will help us secure these locations and create an immersive experience for our audience.
-
POST-PRODUCTION: The journey doesn't end after the filming stage. We need additional resources for post-production to piece together the footage, fine-tune the audio, and refine the visual elements. Your support will play a vital role in bringing ‘Black Dog’ to its final production stage and ensuring a polished end film.
![]()
A message from our writer-director Ed Kirk:
'Black Dog' is a haunting Yorkshire folktale; a Father and Son must deal with their history and grief within the crumbling walls of their moorland home. Through its stark, black and white visuals, foreboding tone and by being told through a folk-horror lens, 'Black Dog' explores themes of trauma, and mental health against the backdrop of a decimated England.”
Our England's folklore seeps into the country's scars and dales. The Yorkshire landscape is, in itself, a character. Combining the brutal north, ghostly apparitions and a broken family, will allow us to challenge the characters in exciting, and haunting, ways.
Films such as The Lighthouse, Green Knight and Banshees of Inisherin serve as inspirations, but this film feels deeply personal to me. Born out of my own feelings and frustrations, Black Dog’s world and atmosphere will transport and unsettle you.
I truly cannot wait to tell this tale.”
![]()
Supporting our short film ‘Black Dog’ goes beyond just funding the production, it’s a real opportunity to empower our talented cast and crew to progress their skills and produce a brilliant piece of work. This project serves as our next stepping stone in professional development, allowing us to showcase our abilities and make our stamp on the short film industry.
By contributing to this crowdfunding campaign, you help support the filmmaking community in Yorkshire to continue to develop and flourish further. Providing an ever-growing platform for local creatives to make an even greater impact with their short film work.
We are pleased to announce that 'Black Dog' will have its premiere at the Spirit of Independence festival this September. The festival attracts a diverse audience of industry professionals and passionate filmmakers. It offers a unique opportunity for our cast and crew to gain exposure and further make connections within the filmmaking community.
![]()
We’d really appreciate the support for our project in any way you can, whether that’s making a donation or sharing our project on social media.
You can promote 'Black Dog' by using the social media icons at the top of the page. Or follow us on our Instagram below for regular updates:
www.instagram.com/black_dog_short