Chasing Shadows
Short Film

Writer, Narrator and Producer

Intent

After being released from a professional football academy myself, I wanted to confront a part of the game that rarely gets attention. What happens when the dream ends.

Exploration

Drawing from my own experience and the stories of friends who were released from academies, the film explores the silence that follows. The loss of identity, the pressure to move on, and the absence of language for young men processing failure inside a system built on hope.

Expression

I wrote, narrated and produced a four minute spoken word film that honours the boys who never made it to the professional stage. The piece combines reflective poetry with cinematic visuals to create space for vulnerability within a culture that often suppresses it.

Outcome

The film helped spark wider conversation around academy aftercare and emotional support for released players. It contributed to greater awareness around the psychological impact of release and prompted clubs to reconsider how they support young athletes beyond the pitch.

Year: 2020