Following celebrated screenings at Raindance Film Festival and Palm Springs International ShortFest, Hayden Mclean’s powerful short FarEye will screen as an Official Selection at the HollyShorts Film Festival, one of the world’s leading Oscar-qualifying showcases for short-form cinema.
A visually arresting and emotionally resonant story of healing, identity, and spiritual awakening, FarEye follows Khalil (Djamari Roberts), a young Jamaican boy who flees an abusive home and discovers refuge within a secluded Rastafarian community in rural Jamaica. Through music, faith, and human connection, Khalil embarks on a spiritual awakening that redefines freedom, belonging, and hope.
Written and directed by Hayden Mclean, FarEye continues the filmmaker’s commitment to telling intimate, culturally specific stories that resonate universally. Shot entirely on location in Jamaica with a predominantly Jamaican cast and crew, the independently self-funded production presents a rarely seen cinematic portrait of the island rooted in spirituality, reslience and everyday beauty.
“My hope is that FarEye contributes, even in a small way, to a richer cinematic language for the Caribbean, and to a tide turning in the recognition of Caribbean stories.” – Hayden Mclean
Hayden Mclean is a British-Jamaican writer, director and founder of Soul Rebel Productions. Through intimate, emotionally resonant storytelling, his work explores the richness and complexity of the Black experience, bringing visibility to overlooked communities and subcultures with beauty, humanity and hope. His debut short film, The Last Dance (2025), screened at more than forty international film festivals, winning multiple awards and qualifying for both BAFTA and BIFA. He is currently developing his debut feature film, A Cowboy’s Prayer.
Produced by Soul Rebel Productions, the project was brought to life through an international creative collaboration led by producers Harold Salakianathan, Robert A. Maylor, Ade O. Adesina, Joel Honeywell and director Hayden Mclean.
The film stars rising Jamaican actor Djamari Roberts (When Morning Comes, Bob Marley: One Love) alongside two-time Grammy-nominated reggae artist Jesse Royal in his screen acting debut. The cast also features Donisha Prendergast, Jeff Crossley, and newcomer Antoinette Smith.
FarEye will screen at the HollyShorts Film Festival (August 13-23) in the SAGindie Presents programme – premiering on Saturday August 15 at 12pm PDT. Find more information here.
