GOLDEN

We're launching a Booster Fundraising Campaign for our final year, student short film, GOLDEN. After the success of our initial campaign reaching a lot of our goal, we were able to complete the production of the film!

We're launching this Booster Campaign with the hopes of securing additional production funding that will go towards entry into world renowned film festivals as well as other filmmaking competitions!

About our film Golden

'A young gymnast on the cusp of success comes to reject her life of elite gymnastics as a result of her tormenting coach; her mother.'

Story

Victoria is an ambitious young girl. Already, at the age of 13, she is a successful elite gymnast whose centre of life is grounded in the sport. On the eve of her biggest competition to date, she battles with the prospect of a life outside of gymnastics. Her realisation comes as a result of a decade of rigorous “training” at the hands of her coach, her own Mother, whose centre of life happens to be “perfection”. As she comes to reject her life and future career, on the brink of a breakdown, her Mother’s obsession with Victoria’s “dreams” unravels before her eyes.

Golden is a quasi-autobiographical film. Our writer and director, Sofia Piletto, was once an elite gymnast and has written Golden in the context of recent media coverage illuminating the darker side of the sport of gymnastics in the UK.

Why does our film matter?

Drawing on her own experiences in the elite gymnastics world and the experiences of her teammates and other gymnasts across the UK, Golden aims to portray the systemic cycle of psychological and emotional abuse within the sport of Gymnastics imposed upon gymnasts under the guise of “training”.

Unique to any sport, gymnastics is a sport bred on the success of young people, this in turn is a breeding ground for psychological abuse, eating disorders and anxiety. We intended to showcase the darker side to gymnastics, away from the medals and sponsorships, but one that focuses on a culture that is built on silence and fear in order to obtain “perfection”. A theme that we believe will resonate.

Your contribution will help us create a film that inspires, moves and helps those who have experienced similar abuse to realise that they are not alone in their experience and are not to blame and together we can hopefully begin to end the systemic cycle of abuse within the gymnastics world.

Director's Statement

I first started making films when I was 14 years old as a student at the Pauline Quirke Academy in Richmond. My passion for writing and directing from a young age came from my participation in the CBBC show Raven at the age of 13, with filming spanning over the course of a month in Scotland. I won Raven, being named as a 'True Warrior' and left with a new desire for the behind the scenes work that takes place in order to make a film. Now at the age of 20, in my final year of university, this is by far my most ambitious and challenging project to date, however it is a story I am now very much prepared to portray. Working with a large crew and shooting on location, as well as working with professional actors, my aim for Golden is to create a film that transcends university and impacts a wider audience of spectators, and hopefully can help bring awareness to the culture of abuse still rife within the sport of gymnastics, and spur change.

Any donation, or other form of support is greatly appreciated to help us create our short film and together we can help end the cyclical culture of abuse within the gymnastics world. Thank you in advance, Sofia Piletto.

The Cast

Victoria played by Tilda Hixon-Carter

Tilda Hixon-Carter is playing Victoria. Tilda is a student at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, with a passion for all things; musical theatre, acting, dance and gymnastics. A talented young performer this is Tilda’s first film and we are privileged to have her part of our project, Golden.

Mother played by Miranda Everitt

Miranda Everitt is playing Mother. Miranda trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London and has experience in stage, tv, and film. Some credits to date include, two 5 star, sellout runs at the Edinburgh Festival (Bite-Size theatre) Eastenders (BBC) Harry&Cosh (C5) Asru-Egyptian Princess (C4) Money Programme (BBC2) and a short film series for Sky Arts. Miranda has recently finished shooting the film 'Radio call in' for Hamlett Films & delighted to be performing at the Pleasance Theatre London this March.

The Crew

Director & Writer: Sofia Piletto

Hello! My name is Sofia Piletto and I am the writer and director for Golden. For over 8 years of my life I was a competitive elite gymnast and I have first hand experienced the blood, sweat and tears that it takes to train at an elite level. I am excited that this project, which has been over 3 years in the making, is finally (hopefully) being brought to your screens.

In past projects I have worked as a producer, director, editor and writer, and employing all the skills I have gained from working on smaller scale projects, I am ready for the challenge of conveying our explorative story on a larger scale. In utilising my experiences in the gymnastics world, where I began training at the age of 4, I have combined my experiences of the psychological and emotional abuse imposed under the guise of “training” with the experiences that have been shared with me of my previous teammates and through copious amounts of research from recent media publications in order to ensure that my writing of Golden and Victoria’s story is as authentic as it can be and reflective of the intense and suffocating environment of elite gymnastics.

Producer: Ross Johnston

My name is Ross Johnston, and I'm the producer for Golden. I have been involved in the world of filmmaking since the age of 16, primarily working as a Sound Engineer, 1st Assistant Director, Editor, and Script Supervisor. I can't wait to take on the role of producer and ensure that Sofia's vision and subject matter of the project are brought to the screen in a way that will impact those who watch it.

We need your help to do so! Donating and sharing this page will help the project massively and raise awareness surrounding the culture of abuse that exists within the sport of gymnastics.

Director of Photography: Cerys Bye

My name is Cerys Bye, and I’m the Director of Photography for Golden. Our Director, Sofia, pitched me her idea for Golden last year, and I was immediately encapsulated—especially as I had witnessed similar aspects in my own gymnastics journey.

I’ve been video-making since the age of 15, and I’m eager to apply my skills to Golden and bring it to life. In making this project, I want to empower gymnasts and shed light on this important subject matter.

Composer of Music: Oscar Ryland

Hi, I'm Oscar Ryland, and I am the composer for Golden. Having been in the band Anorak Patch and having played several musical festivals, such as Reading and Leeds, I am confident that I can create an immersive score that heightens the overall mood of Golden.

Although I’m not a current student at Sussex, when approached to make the score, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity. I can't wait to heighten the emotions of the film through the score and to be part of a project with such an important subject matter.

How can you help?

Donate: Any donations will be greatly appreciated and will significantly help our campaign for change and our project.

Spread the Word: Share this page with friends, family, and anybody who wants to help make a change within the sport of gymnastics and loves an impactful narrative film.

Follow Us: Stay up to date with our journey on Instagram for behind the scenes content, more information about how we are all helping create a meaningful impact in the gymnastics world and how your help is contributing towards our film Golden.

IG: @golden.shortfilm