Short Film · 2026

The Price of Heaven

When a call from school reveals 15-year-old Olivia kissed a girl, her Grandmother forces her into extreme religious rituals, testing the limits of faith and family.

SynopsisWhen a phone call from school reveals that 15-year-old Olivia has been suspended for kissing another girl, her Grandmother takes her to their local church in Latin America, where Father Thomas, the priest, agrees to guide her toward repentance. As Olivia is subjected to invasive questioning and a cleansing ritual, she confronts her Mom, desperately trying to understand what is happening to her, but receives no support. Feeling alone and overwhelmed, she begins to realise what is expected of her.

When a phone call from school reveals that 15-year-old Olivia has been suspended for kissing another girl, her Grandmother takes her to their local church in Latin America, where Father Thomas, the priest, agrees to guide her toward repentance. As Olivia is subjected to invasive questioning and a cleansing ritual, she confronts her Mom, desperately trying to understand what is happening to her, but receives no support. Feeling alone and overwhelmed, she begins to realise what is expected of her.

Synopsis

Director's StatementMoving from Peru to London was a transformative turning point in my life. In Peru, living openly as a queer person means facing systemic hostility. Showing your true identity in public carries real danger, and many people face rejection even within their own households. It wasn't until I moved away that I realised how much of myself I had been suppressing just to maintain safety and protect the status quo within my family. Through research and conversations with fellow LGBTQ+ individuals, I discovered how widespread this experience is.

Moving from Peru to London was a transformative turning point in my life. In Peru, living openly as a queer person means facing systemic hostility. Showing your true identity in public carries real danger, and many people face rejection even within their own households. It wasn't until I moved away that I realised how much of myself I had been suppressing just to maintain safety and protect the status quo within my family. Through research and conversations with fellow LGBTQ+ individuals, I discovered how widespread this experience is.

Conversion practices remain unlegislated in Peru, forcing countless young people to hide who they are until they can escape or migrate. The Price of Heaven was born from a desire to give a voice to those who cannot safely speak up, capturing the quiet pain of having to hide your true identity in the one place you are supposed to feel protected.

I developed this script over two years, refining it through continuous mentorship from my film school tutors and feedback from trusted peers. When it came time to choose my graduation film, I knew it had to be a story I cared about unconditionally. Bringing this vision to life was only possible thanks to the extraordinary dedication of my cast, crew, and close collaborators, who treated the narrative with the care and respect it demanded.

This project is dedicated to anyone who has ever had to choose between living truthfully and keeping the peace at home.

Director's Statement

This project is dedicated to anyone who has ever had to choose between living truthfully and keeping the peace at home.