Experiencing Interruptions?

Cherry B

It’s 1969, a housewives soiree, drinking cocktails, whilst summoning up an old dead friend. When a spiritual message prompts adolescent Lilith to respond, it alerts us to the demon that lies within. 

  • Ornella Hawthorn Gardez
    Director
  • Valerie Hawthorn
    Writer
  • Ornella Hawthorn Gardez
    Writer
  • Valerie Hawthorn
    Producer
  • Camilla Langsbakken
    Producer
  • Julie Lockey
    Key Cast
    "Mary Mercy"
  • Delilah Bradley
    Key Cast
    "Lilith Mercy"
  • Tori Butler-Hart
    Key Cast
    "Jean Naive"
  • Leah Baskaran
    Key Cast
    "Sheila Savy"
  • Gemma Reynolds
    Key Cast
    "Ruby Rude"
  • Kimberley Verana
    Key Cast
    "Gwen Rude"
  • Tom Markwick
    Key Cast
    "Gwen's Boyfriend"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 3 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 17, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    KODAK 16mm
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Women X Film Festival
    Darlington
    United Kingdom
    September 20, 2025
    Best Editing
  • Absurd Film Festival
    Milan
    Italy
    May 2, 2025
    Italian Premiere
    Best Film April
  • Stamford International Film Festival
    Stamford
    United Kingdom
    October 25, 2025
    Best Lead Actress
  • Los Angeles Short Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 11, 2025
    Best Young Actress
  • Los Angeles Short Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 11, 2025
    Best Female Director
Director Biography - Ornella Hawthorn Gardez

Ornella is a BAFTA-accredited writer-director who focuses on genre narrative films with dramatic suspense, to take her audience on a rollercoaster of emotions. She is known for making films that start conversations and showcase personal stories that resonate with a global demographic. Having trained as an actor and dancer alongside her parents’ artistic and musical influence, the importance of timing within her films is evident. Her earlier work shooting and editing extreme sports, has influenced her distinct visual style dedicated to creating the rawest most impactful scenes. Ornella’s BAFTA accredited short film Slow-Down screened at multiple BAFTA, BIFA, and Academy Award qualifying film festivals, propelling her presence in the festival circuit and landing a development opportunity with Film 4, working on her first feature. This year, Ornella was part of the BFI South West Directors Lab 2024, in addition to wrapping her latest short Cherry B and post production on ‘God Loves a Trier’.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Cherry B is brought to you by a BAFTA-accredited mother-and-daughter duo who are co-writers, director, and producer. Cherry B is an immersive experience into a 1960s housewives soirée, inspired by my grandmother, who used the Ouija board like we use Google today.

It’s a film that can evoke strong childhood memories as it focuses on family and community. Like neighbours from working-class suburbs, it was natural to get together and gossip while summoning up a dead friend. Many of our audience members remark that it triggered a nostalgic reminder of their own childhood.

This comedic thriller, and bizarre short film, is based on a true story with a crazy twist. It is here to entertain and shock the audience while simultaneously offering a warm, fulfilling rollercoaster of emotions. We hope you enjoy it, and thank you for your consideration.