Private Project

Say When

High school athletes & friends Helen and Tala are having dinner with John, their host family’s father.
Helen, outspoken and unfiltered, makes awkward attempts to fill the silence and engage in conversation, missing the mark and revealing underlying tensions. Tala, more reserved and serious, tries to maintain a balance while feeling the strain of cultural discrepancies and Helen's unintentional blunders.
As the evening progresses, Helen's remarks further complicate the interactions. The tension peaks with Heather's arrival, revealing deeper social complexities.

  • Alkyoni Tsegou
    Director
  • Alkyoni Tsegou
    Writer
  • Lallie Doyle
    Producer
  • Mia Parnaby
    Key Cast
    "Helen"
  • Nina Cassells
    Key Cast
    "Tala"
  • Mark Osmond
    Key Cast
    "John"
  • Selina Youngerman
    Key Cast
    "Heather"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, LGBTQI+
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 19 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 17, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    6,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    ProRes 4444 3:2k
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Alkyoni Tsegou

Alkyoni is a London-based screenwriter whose work explores themes of self-exploration and identity. Previously, she worked as a post-production producer, bringing an understanding of how to effectively bring stories to the screen. Her projects include a feature film, a TV pilot, several short films, and two documentaries in development. Her experience in mental health translations has shaped her sensitivity to crafting dialogue that feels emotionally authentic and resonant.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Say When is a love letter to my wife, once an extroverted, often foot-in-mouth teenager, and now loving parent to our young son. Her anecdotes about young female camaraderie, and the trials of puberty have provided a vivid contrast to my own adolescence as a shy and introverted queer teenager.
Now, as a storyteller, I relish the opportunity to re-tell my own adolescence, reflecting on how our pasts shape who we choose to become.
Also, through the film I wish to explore my parents' 20-year age difference and its impact on their loving and respectful relationship. This age gap has always been a given in our family, but reflecting on it now, I can see traces of a patriarchal society, leading me to reflect on love, respect, and the dynamics of relationships.