Graduate Olivia Maiden wins Pears Short Film Fund for ‘To Fly or Float’
By MetFilm School
16 October 2025
MetFilm School London BA Screen Acting graduate Olivia Maiden has been awarded the prestigious Pears Short Film Fund for her short drama To Fly or Float, a story exploring childhood grief, Jewish identity, and family bonds in 1970s Birmingham.
Run by UK Jewish Film, the fund awards two annual grants of up to £13,500 to support short films on British-Jewish themes. Winning projects premiere at the UK Jewish Film Festival and are eligible for BAFTA consideration.
Set during the Winter of Discontent in 1979, To Fly or Float follows eight-year-old Eva and her uncle David as they navigate a shared loss. For Eva, a handmade kite becomes a link to cherished memories and a way of making sense of death.
Birmingham was chosen for its rarely depicted Jewish community and strong sense of place, its industrial backdrop reflecting the film’s darker moments, while its canals and regeneration bring balance.
For Olivia, the project is deeply personal. Having lost two siblings as a child, she draws on her own experiences to shape Eva’s world. She co-wrote and produced the project with director Charlotte Peters, who also directed Olivia’s 2022 graduation film.
Olivia credits the Pears Fund for support beyond financing: “They refined the script, connected us with communities, and even provided costumes through Angels Costumiers. It’s rare to find a funder who champions your film creatively and stands beside you practically.”
Olivia is also developing a feature-length version of the story, alongside new projects including a family fantasy set in the Swiss mountains and a historical TV drama.
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