HOW LONG
HOW LONG is a short film that explores the relationship between an autistic teenage girl who is struggling with daily life, and her distraught mother as they both try to conform to societal norms. At breaking point and with both characters spiralling, revealed pressures, and with the authorities clamping down, something or someone has to give.
This film is for the thousands of young people whose voices go unheard, who mask, and or who cannot attend school.
And for the parents who fight for them.
School refusal occurs when stress exceeds support, when risks are greater than resilience and when ‘pull’ factors that promote school non-attendance overcome the ‘push’ factors that encourage attendance. (Thambirajah et. al, 2008)
This film is based on true events
HOW LONG
HOW LONG toured the festival circuit in 2025 and won numerous selections and awards including being selected for the following film festivals:
Feel the Reel Film Festival - Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Actress- March 2025
Tweetfest (Citylights) Film Festival - Official Selection and nominated for Best Casting
Manchester Film Festival - Official Selection
Sea Change Film Festival - Official Selection
VENEZIA SHORTS - Official Selection - Semi Finalist
Cambridge Film Festival - Nominee
London Lift Off Film Festival - Official Selection
New York Lift Off Film Festival - Official Selection
New York Film and Female Actress Awards- Award Winner
New York International Womens Festival - Award Winner
Edinburgh Independent Film Festival - Award Winner
Hamburg Indie Film Festival - Award Winner
LA Film and Documentary Award - Award Winner
Paris Women Cinefest - Award Winner
Melbourne Independent Film Festival - Official Selection
Paris Moviemakers Festival - Award Winner
The film was completed in 2025 with the following credits:
Written, Directed and Produced - Louise Wildish
Filmed and edited by - Ben Williams
Music - Andy Dawson
Actor Lottie - Chloe Wade
Actor Mum - Gillian Perry
The film will be made public in 2026
HOW LONG Trailer below.
Gallery & Behind the scenes
