Saddled

short film

runtime: 15 min

genre: rom-com

country: United Kingdom

language: English

logline

When a confident man pretends to be awkward to impress a woman tired of dating jerks, their disastrous first date unexpectedly strips away both of their performances, revealing two lonely people searching for something real.

synopsis

Looking for something casual on SADL, a dating app like many others, a confident man matches with a woman who says she is tired of arrogant men and wants someone awkward instead. Desperate enough to get her attention, he decides to play the part. But on their first date, his performance quickly becomes unbearable. He overplays every hesitation, silence and nervous gesture, while occasional flashes of his real confidence make her increasingly suspicious. The woman, after a particularly heated moment, is ready to leave, but he apologises and they both admit that neither of them was really looking for what they claimed to want. She did not want an awkward man, only someone kind; he was simply trying to become whatever might make someone choose him. What began as an absurd dating-app encounter turns into an intimate conversation about loneliness, self-presentation and the exhaustion of performing for strangers. For the first time that evening, they stop trying to impress each other—and something real begins.

credits

Cast, in order of appearance

Original Script

Crew

Music

Special thanks

production

filmed in London

production year: 2026

technical

aspect ratio: 16:9

colour

sound: stereo / 5.1

festivals & awards

n/d