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A Caerphilly filmmaker is helping to break down barriers in the film industry with a new short drama exploring deaf identity, communication and human connection.

Jarred Sullivan, a Filmmaking student at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), has written and directed What I Meant to Say, a short-form film created alongside fellow student and producer Madeline Jeffs.

The character-led drama centres on Aaron, a shy deaf 16-year-old who was adopted into a deaf family. Played by deaf actor Ellis Kavanagh, Aaron’s world is disrupted when his hearing birth mother, Marie, unexpectedly gets in touch and asks to spend the day with him.

As the pair attempt to build a connection, misunderstandings emerge during a trip to the seaside, with Marie’s thoughtless actions clashing with Aaron’s sensory overload and highlighting the challenges they face in understanding one another.

Rather than relying heavily on dialogue, the film uses visual storytelling, performance, and carefully crafted sound design to immerse audiences in Aaron’s emotional and sensory experience.

The film was shaped through close consultation with deaf people and British Sign Language (BSL) specialists to ensure an authentic representation.

The impact of the project has extended beyond the screen. As a result of efforts led by Jarred and his team, all graduate films showcased at this year’s UWE degree show will be subtitled.

In addition, a course student film screening on June 8 will feature BSL interpretation for the first time.

The project has also sparked wider discussions within the course about embedding accessibility into filmmaking practice, and encouraging future filmmakers to consider inclusion as a fundamental part of the creative process.

Speaking about the film, Jarred said: “Filmmaking is about amplifying the voices and stories of those who are often underrepresented. As a queer, working-class filmmaker, I believe cinema needs fundamental change in both access and representation.

“What I Meant to Say expands the possibilities of deaf-led, working-class storytelling by exploring how human connection can exist beyond spoken language.”

Professor Charlotte Crofts, professor of Cinema Arts at UWE Bristol, praised the team’s efforts and said: “This work sits within a broader ethos at UWE Bristol: empowering emerging filmmakers to reshape the industry from within, advancing both inclusion and sustainability.

“These students are not waiting for change – they are already creating it.”