Experiencing Interruptions?

The Cockpit

Three outsiders take their roosters to an underground cockfighting ring, hoping to win big. But when their cocks refuse to fight, the frenzied crowd flies into a rage. The cockmaster, king of this blood sport, decrees that the outsiders fight in place of the roosters. They face a choice: put on a grisly show for the audience, or face public execution.

  • Andres Ortiz Pinilla
    Producer
    Wish You Were Gone, Walkman, Home Alone, The Day Before, After Hours
  • Xan Gilmour
    Director
    Dao Hides, After Moira, Boring Bradley
  • Joe Miller
    Writer
  • Jessica Goveia Slatter
    Key Cast
    "Patty"
  • Jake Monib
    Key Cast
    "Sam"
  • Tomas Moya
    Key Cast
    "Thomas"
  • Rob Cannon
    Key Cast
    "The Butcher"
  • Katie Suitor
    Key Cast
    "Mrs Cockcroft"
  • Lewis Galvin
    Key Cast
    "Mr Cockcroft"
  • Sarah Veazey
    Key Cast
    "The Bookie"
  • Sean Climie
    Key Cast
    "Father Morgan"
  • Sean Coleman
    Key Cast
    "Sister Mary"
  • Josephine King
    Key Cast
    "The Cockmaster's Left Hand"
  • Michael-Akolade Ayodeji
    Key Cast
    "The Cockmaster's Right Hand"
  • Nick Bautlett
    Key Cast
    "The Cockmaster's"
  • Elise Bradford
    Key Cast
    "Candice"
  • Finn Riches
    Key Cast
    "Salty Abraham"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 59 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 14, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    8,500 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - National Youth Film Academy
  • National Youth Film Academy
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 15, 2021
    UK Premiere - ODEON Cinema (IMAX)
Distribution Information
  • Wolf Balance Productions
    Sales Agent
    Country: United Kingdom
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Xan Gilmour

Xan is an award-winning director and writer from Scotland. After graduating with a First in History from Oxford University, he shot documentaries for OTOXO Productions in Barcelona, IOHR in London, and Moria Refugee Camp on Lesvos.

Committing full-time to scripted content in 2021, his film 'Dao Hides, No Name' won Best Fantasy Short at Europe Film Festival UK and Best Cultural Film at Fortean Festival. 'Imbas', his latest short, won Best of the Fest, Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography at Feel the Reel International Festival.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

People seek entertainment to escape many things, but not violence. Stories are full of bloodshed, which we not only expect but often desire. This film explores how audiences - on both sides of the screen - react when that desire is aroused and frustrated by turn.

Cockfighting, in which roosters battle to the death for human entertainment, is animal cruelty at its worst. Perhaps it should be no laughing matter. Yet this film does aim to make you laugh - not by trivialising the violence, but by poking fun at those who enjoy it.

In ‘The Cockpit’ we created an original world, a blend of steampunk, fairy tale and dystopia. The tone is comedic, but with touching, perhaps even spiritual, moments.