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The Shadow People: Heart of Darkness

When teen psychic Shelley discovers an ancient relic in her aunt’s basement, a chilling vision compels her to take it home. But as her visions of menacing shadows grow increasingly real, a mysterious stranger arrives in town, determined to claim the relic and the dark power it holds...

  • Joe Yates
    Writer/Director/Producer
  • Laura Yates
    Producer
  • David Copley
    Executive Producer
  • Preslie Grace
    Key Cast
    "Shelley"
  • Helen Carlyle
    Key Cast
    "Angela McNeill"
  • David Copley
    Key Cast
    "Jedediah Schmidt"
  • Thomas Burke
    Key Cast
    "Jasper"
  • Jonathan Ellis
    Key Cast
    "Martin McNeill"
  • Hollie Heasman
    Key Cast
    "Radio Host"
  • Freddie Peto
    Key Cast
    "The Stranger"
  • Joe Yates
    Director of Photography/Editor
  • Laura Yates
    Sound Recordist
  • David Copley
    Sound Recordist
  • Cindy Louis-Marie
    Sound Recordist
  • Seva Ivanov
    Sound Design
  • Joe Yates
    Visual Effects
  • Thomas Burgess
    Visual Effects
  • Miguel Angel
    Music Composer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Horror, Thriller, Psychological
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    November 24, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    835 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • London Movie Awards
    London
    United Kingdom
    December 30, 2024
    UK Premiere
    Best Indie Short Film
  • Hollywood Gold Awards
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    December 29, 2024
    West American Premiere
    Best Horror
Director Biography

Joe Yates is a London-based screenwriter and filmmaker. With a career spanning over a decade, he has honed his skills in screenwriting, directing, producing and editing, showcasing his versatility and unwavering passion for storytelling. His primary focus lies in the realm of horror, with films such as The Shadow People: Risen From Darkness (2017) and more recently the award-winning short Dark Corners (2023), where he skilfully blends suspense and drama to create immersive experiences that resonate with audiences. Yates’ unique vision will undeniably leave a mark on the world of filmmaking.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

'The Shadow People: Heart of Darkness' marks the culmination of six long years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. The journey to create this sequel to 2017's 'The Shadow People: Risen From Darkness' was filled with numerous setbacks, including a pandemic that at one point made me doubt if it would ever be completed. I even moved on to other projects, leaving it stored away on a hard drive somewhere. So I’m deeply grateful to return to this world with a talented team who helped bring this vision to life in ways I never imagined.

'Heart of Darkness' is especially meaningful as it realises a dream that began in my parents' living room way back in 2014. What started then as a small, intimate project, has since grown into something much, much bigger. This film serves as both the closing of a circle and the beginning of something new - an ending that honours the journey so far, and a bold step forward into the future of this world and its stories.

We hope you enjoy the ride.