Experiencing Interruptions?

Summer Bridges

Set mid-summer after university ends and the promise of new beginnings beckons, a group of friends gathers for a weekend to celebrate. But as the days unfold, buried truths come to light, turning laughter into tension and joy into quiet sorrow. What begins as a farewell soon becomes a reckoning, illustrating the soft heartbreak of moving on—when love doesn’t end with a bang, but with a drift.

  • Molly Emma Fraser
    Director
  • Molly Emma Fraser
    Writer
  • Molly Emma Fraser
    Producer
  • Natalia Fox
    Key Cast
    "Callie"
    Eggs, Scallywags, Internal Abyss
  • Ross Thompson
    Key Cast
    "Cam"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Romance, Drama, Coming-of-age
  • Runtime:
    28 minutes 7 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 27, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    9,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Red Komode
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Molly Emma Fraser

From a young age, I was drawn to the world of visual media—or, more accurately, I was bossing around my action figures and filming them on my family’s old camera. My YouTube career started strong (if you count my mum and grandparents as a dedicated fanbase), but even then, I was a determined director, convinced that my toy cast deserved award-winning performances.

I took that passion to the University of Newcastle, where I pursued my BA in Film Practices, specializing in documentary. Alongside my studies, I found myself constantly writing scripts based on all my experiences as a young adult navigating a city for the first time. I was hooked! The combination of structured documentary work and my own personal storytelling gave me a deep appreciation for both realism and creative expression in filmmaking.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that storytelling was more than just a childhood obsession—it was my future. To me, films have always felt like a kind of magic, capable of transporting us to different worlds, making us feel things we never expected, and even changing how we see the world.

Now, as a post-grad stepping into the film industry, I’m eager to bring my stories to life on a bigger stage. I’ve worked on several projects, each one teaching me something new (including how to survive on coffee and last-minute problem-solving). But I’m always looking for new opportunities to grow, collaborate, and create films that resonate with audiences—hopefully beyond my childhood YouTube subscriber count.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Embark on an emotional journey with Summer Bridges, a dramatic short film filmed by the talented Olamide Shoyinka, directed by myself, Molly Emma Fraser, and brought to life by the incredible performances of Ross Thompson and Natalia Fox. Set in the height of summer, just as university life comes to an end and the uncertainty of new beginnings looms, the story unfolds over one fateful weekend. What begins as a joyful celebration among friends soon takes a darker turn as hidden truths come to light, ultimately unraveling a young couple’s relationship.

With this film, I wanted to capture the raw, often unspoken struggles that relationships face. Our emotions and past experiences can weigh heavily on us, sometimes making it easier to let go than to fight through the tangled mess. The ending may be seen as controversial, but in reality, not all love stories work out. Cam and Callie are well-matched, yet their issues run deep. They are young, inexperienced, and still figuring out life—no one at twenty makes perfect decisions. I didn’t want to frame their story around whether they end up together, but rather whether they part ways with a sense of warmth and understanding, allowing them to let go without bitterness.

Creating a film that authentically represents the North East has been a longtime aspiration of mine, as I feel this region is often overlooked in mainstream TV and film. Summer Bridges serves as both a love letter to this setting and an exploration of the complexities of human connection.

The themes of tragic romance and mental health struggles are more relevant now than ever. I have always been fascinated by the intricacies of relationships, especially how communication—or the lack thereof—shapes the narratives we tell ourselves and each other. The way memories evolve and reveal new truths over time is something I wanted to explore deeply, showing how shifting perspectives can redefine our understanding of the past.

I am incredibly excited to share Summer Bridges on the festival circuit and to invite audiences into this deeply personal story. Thank you for considering our film; I look forward to the opportunity to connect and discuss the themes that make this project so meaningful.