‘Fate: The Winx Saga’ Actor Hannah van der Westhuysen to Make Directorial Debut With Short Film ‘Peter,’ Starring ‘We Live in Time’s’ Lee Braithwaite (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Ellise Shafer “Fate: The Winx Saga” star Hannah van der Westhuysen will make their directorial debut with the short film “Peter,” starring “We Live in Time” breakout Lee Braithwaite.

Written by van der Westhuysen and produced by the Oscar-winning Slick Films (“The Silent Child”) and “Sex Education” actor George Somner’s 13:8 Films, “Peter” follows Elliott (Braithwaite), a young trans man caring for his father, Peter, who is living with alcohol-induced dementia. “When Peter offers Elliott his old clothes — a seemingly small gesture — it takes on profound meaning,” the short’s official synopsis reads. “Is Peter’s momentary acceptance a byproduct of his memory loss, or has his vulnerability allowed him to truly see Elliott, both as his son and the man he’s become?” “For me, this film is about dignity and identity — maintaining both when the world or your circumstances threaten to strip them away,” van der Westhuysen said in a statement. “In an era where society is profoundly fragmented, it’s crucial to showcase connections across widely disparate generations and experiences.” “Peter” has partnered with charities Not a Phase and the Alzheimer’s Association in production. “This film is more than a story — it is a tool for awareness and advocacy,” a press release states.