Post-shift clarity

In the near-empty glow of a London restaurant long after closing, waitress Anya struggles to mask the toll of too many shifts and too little rest. Her younger coworker Maggie bounces with Red Bull-fueled energy, chattering about gap-year adventures and easy escapes. As they clean up, flashes of Anya’s grueling day bleed into the present — endless demands from customers, aching feet, and fresh injuries. When Maggie wrangles permission to leave early, Anya is roped into starting her next shift even earlier. Under the harsh lights, with the last tipsy diners gone, Anya’s composure cracks, revealing the quiet, grinding burnout hidden beneath her service smile.

Filming crew setting up a scene in a restaurant with actors seated at a table, a waitress standing by, and professional camera and lighting equipment.
A young person with curly hair and closed eyes, resting their chin on their hand, wearing a blue shirt, in a dark environment.

short film, 2026

Cast

Alice Walker — Anya

Zella Clay — Matilda

Joe Philips — Man

Creative Team

Writer & Director : Betsy Finlay-Sheil

Producers : Betsy Finlay-Sheil & Hannah Currie with FATTER

Associate Producer : Rachel Woodward Carlton

Director of Photography : Fatosh Olagacher

1st Assistant Camera : Dylan Scott

2nd Assistant Camera : Leon D'Angelo-Docker

1st Assistant Director : Paula Szczyrba

3rd Assistant Director : Alexandra Drasevertseva

Gaffer : Willow Hazel

Spark : Beatrix Barker

Lighting Trainee : Seb Ramdhanie

Sound Recordists : Louis Chiffe & Tom Fredrickson

Morag Donald — Woman

Jack Pepper — Chef

Script Supervisor : Ella O'Brien

Production Designer : Celia Gomez

Art Consultant : Abigail Green

Home Economist : Jack Pepper

Home Economics Assistants : Sarah Lobley & Charles Perks

Catering: Jack Pepper

Production Assistants : Belle Fitzpatrick, Ella Thompson & Iza Mihali

Editor : Valentina West

Sound Mixer : Tom Fredrickson

Original Score : Nate Olzo

A film slate with the word "POST-SHIFT" written on it, someone wearing jeans sitting nearby, and a partially visible roll of pink tape on the side.