Midlands Movies is thrilled to show the first images of After, a new short film that combines animation and live action. It’s written and directed by Laurence Mason-Guetta, who worked as director of photography on Sorry, We’re Closed, which won Best Director at the Midlands Movies Awards this past weekend.

Produced by Dan Barker, with backing from Barker Studios Entertainment Ltd and Picture Locked Ltd, the project is set in the near future and follows Hugo, played by Rafe Bird, a young man struggling to process the end of a deeply emotional relationship with his former girlfriend Liv, played by Sophie Jane Corner.

In the world of the film, the latest consumer technology takes the form of a small implant which allows users to lucid dream on demand. For Hugo, the device becomes a way of seeing Liv again whenever he sleeps and speaking to her, spending time with her, and trying to understand what went wrong.

And the filmmakers plan to use a distinctive visual structure, with the waking world presented in live action, while Hugo’s dream world is brought to life through animation by Nicholas Costello.

After marks the third collaboration between Barker Studios Entertainment Ltd and Picture Locked Ltd, following the release of Beautiful Meadow and Stanley in 2025. Beautiful Meadow, directed by Laurence Mason-Guetta and starring Tarik Badwan, is a short psychological thriller which received high praise following its release. It also garnered two Midlands Movies Awards nominations in 2024.

Stanley was produced in partnership with Nottingham-based Lucina Studios, and is described as an emotional drama about a man spiralling after the death of his mother and his eventual journey through depression. The film was directed by Romeo Mugadza and starred Alexander O’Connor as the titular character.

The newly released first-look images offer an early glimpse at the film’s blend of intimate live-action drama and animated dream sequences. Barker Studios Entertainment Ltd and Picture Locked Ltd are part of a growing network of independent filmmakers working across Nottingham and the wider Midlands, producing ambitious short-form films on a small-scale independent basis.

For more information follow the film's progress at www.instagram.com/barkerstudiosent and www.barkerstudiosentertainment.co.uk