Rory Fleck-Byrne, Imran Adams

About the Project

Professional superheroes Sterling and Meridian have just finished saving the day (again) when suddenly, they find themselves in a rare moment alone. The suits come off, but when old tensions and old enemies return, our “heroes” learn the dark truth about who they are underneath.

​

Starring Rory Fleck-Byrne (This Is Going to Hurt, BBC) and Imran Adams (Hollyoaks, Channel 4).

​

"I’ve been second guessing myself all year: is it really fair to ask “where are all the gay superheroes?” when technically…they exist? Or do they? Stay with me.

​

First, I had to remember this story isn’t just about superheroes. It’s about what it means to have power and be gay. Power takes many forms; in this story it’s super-strength and telekinesis, but in real life it can be anything that gives you an edge. Money. Influence. Fame. Whatever form it takes, people are drawn to power. And that’s where being gay can be a problem.

​

Because the sad truth is, most queer people spend a period of their life hiding their true identity. And secrets are a vulnerability, especially to the powerful. So why not just come out? Ask premiere league footballers and A-list actors. Ask them why coming out threatens their careers. I’ll tell you why: because we’re not used to seeing queer people in power. Not at the top. And that perpetuates the belief we aren’t allowed up there. That’s what this story is about.

​

So yes, Marvel is slowly introducing queer characters to the screen. But their queerness is hidden in plain sight, relegated to throwaway lines or scenes which can easily be cut for foreign markets. It’s never part of the story, because Marvel fears the backlash. And we need to acknowledge that, or it’s never going to change. This story is necessary. And telling it is the most powerful thing I can do.” - Tom Paul Martin, Director

WINNER BEST LGBTQ FILM at the Cambridge Short Film Festival 2024

WINNER BEST LGBTQ FILM & BEST VFX at the Stratford on Avon Film Festival 2024

WINNER BEST EDITOR (Tom Paul Martin) at the Worcester Film Festival 2024

WINNER BEST MALE ACTOR (Rory Fleck-Byrne) at the Rainbow Umbrella Film Festival 2025

WINNER BEST LGBTQ+ FILM at the Big Fridge Film Festival 2025

WINNER BEST LGBTQ+ FILM at the Bristol Independent Film Festival 2025

WINNER BEST ACTOR, BEST SCREENPLAY & PRIX DU JURY at The Fantasy Film Festival 2025

WINNER BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM at the Underground Cinema International Film Festival 2025

NOMINATED GRAND PRIZE, AUDIENCE AWARD & BEST VFX at the Birmingham Film Festival 2024

NOMINATED BEST FLUID SHORT, BEST ETHERIAL SHORT FILM, BEST PERFORMANCE SHORT FILM & BEST SOUND DESIGN at the One Fluid Night Film Festival 2024

NOMINATED BEST SCI-FI at the Crystal Palace Film Festival 2025

4 NOMINATIONS at HB Fest (Paisley, Scotland) 2025 — including Costume Design & Best Score (results TBD)

WORLD PREMIERE at the Kingston International Film Festival 2024

WELSH PREMIERE & OFFICIAL SELECTION (OPENING NIGHT) at the Iris Prize Film Festival 2024

IRISH PREMIERE at Disappear Here Film Festival 2024

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE at AfroComicCon Film Festival 2024

SAN FRANCISCO PREMIERE at Another Hole in the Head Festival 2024

NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE at the Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival 2025

FLORIDA PREMIERE at the Pensacon Short Film Festival 2025

NORTH EAST PREMIERE at the North East International Film Festival 2024

​

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS at:
London Breeze Film Festival 2024
Mansfield Film Festival 2024
Derby Film Festival 2024
Bradford Queer Film Festival 2024
HollyShorts London 2024