Shouting at the Sea is a celebration of the friends who know your soul. After years apart, Joe and Katherine (Harry Michell, Maddie Rice) reunite in the seaside town where they grew up. As they reconnect, they share who they’ve become and finally confront the conversation that tore them apart. Although time has changed them, the bond they formed as teenagers holds them together. Observing their journey, the sea (voiced by Daisy Haggard) narrates a tale of memory, belonging, and the fragile beauty of human connection.
Shouting at the Sea is an independent short film by Toffee Hammer. Director: Benjamin Verrall.
To learn more, read our press pack here.
Shouting at the Sea is a film made with love, drawing on the creativity and collaboration of the small team at Toffee Hammer. The goal was to create something above and beyond our work with clients, refresh our passion for fiction, and tell a story for its own sake. Together, we visited Hastings and shared memories of growing up in our respective seaside towns to create a screenplay that had meaning for each of us.
Toffee Hammer is an independent creative agency and production company. Our purpose is to create, share, and learn through partnership and collaboration. We are committed to creating a space for curiosity where people and ideas flourish. We develop and produce work to engage, inspire, and entertain. We strive to have a positive impact through everything we do.
News and Reviews
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"A purgative and thoughtful short film, Shouting at the Sea wraps its audience in a cosy embrace whilst slowly lashing at it with poignancy and heartfelt revelations.
Whilst many may assume this film would be full of romantic chemistry, it’s actually something deeper and more intelligent than that. The story is full of painful regrets and honest acknowledgements and the shared past of Joe and Katherine forms a solid foundation but too much has happened since and we are only witness to some of that story. This ambiguity is enhanced by Daisy Haggard’s interspersed narration, poetic lines about the sea that allow the viewer to ponder on a larger scale and consider the endless flux of life all around us.
It’s these big and thought-provoking ideas that Shouting at the Sea looks to navigate and manages to do so without sinking from the weight of them all."Read the full review here.
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"Verrall along with fellow screenwriters Amelia Rowcroft, Kate Auster, and Ruth Marshall exercise a level of subtlety that demands attention.
The mystery of what connects the characters drives the film forward, and it’s a thoroughly compelling one.
An earnest trip down memory lane, Shouting at the Sea is a gorgeous short from Benjamin Verrall that lays all the insecurities of its characters bare, allowing for them and the audience to ponder the consequences of deep-seated turmoil."
Read the full review here.
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"Shouting at the Sea is captivating, and explores the depths of human emotions and our complex relationships... The film delicately navigates themes of nostalgia, forgiveness, and growth. Shouting At The Sea is a testament to the power of introspection and the enduring beauty of human connection. A truly remarkable piece of cinema that leaves a lasting impact."
Read the full review here.
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"The ever-changing light in Shouting at the Sea is delicious, and DP Tom Hooker uses every bit of it. The dialogue is funny and raw, becoming more honest as the moments tick by. Joe and Katherine exchange untold childhood trauma, philosophical ideas, and unspoken confessions.
Shouting at the Sea reminds us how revitalizing and healing face-to-face interaction can be – no phones, just human connection. It’s a beautiful short, more moving than most features."
Read the full review here.
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9.5/10
"Shouting At The Sea is a simple conversation between two friends over a precise timeframe. The Sea interjects her thoughts on the way, tying the theme of nature and nurture and growing up and apart together. Through Joe and Katherine, loss, grief, closure, and trauma are explored. Though the screenwriters and directors are too smart to sledgehammer these points, allowing them to rise as the friends talk organically.
Shouting At The Sea is an excellent and tender drama. The two leads are fantastic and bring their introspective parts to vivid life. Haggard’s voice-over, along with the outstanding cinematography, conveys the allure of the sea and what it means to this place and these people."Read the full review here.
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"The two actors carry on the conversation effortlessly and appear authentic, as if they were in a previous relationship. They now come face to face as if to “clear the air,” and this drama has them show a range of emotions. Their performances are impressive, and I see their careers rising."
Read the full review here.
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"Poetic, atmospheric, affecting, and a beautifully orchestrated allegorical study in our need for human connection, the rekindling of bonds, and the reconciliation of the soul, this intelligent and creatively executed yet uncomplicated 20-minute short film deftly paints an impactful tapestry encompassing reminiscing and inner redemption..."
Read the full review here.
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"...and then you come across a film like this one, where the actors truly have to be at their absolute best, and dive deep to pull out what is inside, to bring this type of character to life. We don't see a whole lot of (these) roles today... which is why I fell in love with this film. I love the Simplicity of the story - two people reconnecting with a vulnerability that they each had of their own... To me that added the exceptional beauty to this film storyline.
I think all film should be cinematic. This one falls into that perfect category of film that we need more of. If you feel that there's something missing in your life, it's probably because you haven't seen Shouting at the Sea yet."
Watch the interview here.
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"The characters are so strong, the dialogue is so strong, and the chemistry between them draws you in and you're caught up in what's unfolding towards the end."
Watch the interview here.
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"Shouting at the Sea is conscious of not telling us too much; it doesn’t need to. The film’s use of silence and non-verbal communication speaks volumes, allowing the audience to interpret the characters’ emotions and thoughts. We don’t need the specifics of what happened between the two in their past; they are there in the present, reconnecting in this meditative and absorbing drama."
Read the full review here.
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"Two friends who haven't seen each other in decades meet again and spend a long day together. The only thing you need to know is that this is one of the very best films you will see in 2024. And when I say best of 2024 I mean of any length and of any type. This film is just magnificent."
Read the full review here.
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"This short film hit me deeply and has had me reminiscing all week. There is something universal about falling out or losing touch with friends. It’s a very real and human subject with raw, vulnerable emotions."
Read the full review here.
Katherine and Joe (Harry Michell, Maddie Rice) reconnect after years apart in the out-of-season coastal town of Hastings. They spend the day revisiting the haunts of their youth - the rickety funicular lift, the amusement arcade, the windswept pier - quickly slipping back into the familiar rhythm of their teenage years. Tentative small talk soon turns playful, before deepening as both grapple with unspoken struggles: Katherine, outwardly successful, is quietly conflicted, while Joe wrestles with the weight of unfulfilled dreams.
The Sea (voiced by Daisy Haggard) is a constant presence, narrating a story of memory and belonging.
As night falls, Katherine and Joe head down to the shingle beach, not wanting the day to end. Together, they shout into the dark, roaring waves - a shared act of vulnerability that leaves them somehow lighter.
Shouting at the Sea is about connection, nostalgia, and the pursuit of self-acceptance. Through the constant ebb and flow of the Sea, the film gently reflects on the tides of life - those moments of drift and return that shape and reshape our lives.
To learn more, read our press pack here.
Benjamin Verrall (Director)
Having grown up in the coastal town of Hastings, Benjamin has always been drawn to the power and mystery of the sea - a theme that resonates in Shouting at the Sea. The film reflects Benjamin’s connection to Hastings and is a testament to the team spirit that defines his approach to filmmaking and creativity.
Since graduating from film school, Benjamin has carved out a successful career in the media industry. His journey led him to establish Toffee Hammer, a creative agency and production company that has gained recognition for its innovative storytelling and collaborative ethos.
Shouting at the Sea was a labour of love, developed and produced by the dedicated team at Toffee Hammer. This self-financed passion project is a testament to the power of personal inspiration and collective effort in bringing a compelling narrative to life.