Scrum
2020 | 14 minutes | Writer/Director
A single mother struggles to come to terms with her daughter's love of rugby league.
Official Selection
2020 Aesthetica Short Film Festival, UK
2020 Barcelona International Short Film Festival, Spain
2020 Bolton Film Festival, UK
2020 Cardiff International Film Festival, UK
2020 Kingston Film Festival, UK
2020 Leeds International Film Festival, UK
2020 Norwich Film Festival, UK
2020 This Way Up Festival, UK
2021 Two Short Nights International Film Festival, UK
2021 Sheffield Short Film Festival, UK
2021 Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival, UK
2021 Adventure Cinema Festival (Leeds), UK
2021 Women X Film Festival, UK
2021 Manchester Kinofilm Festival, UK
2021 Backhaus Berlin Festival, Germany
Awards
Best Cinematography - Kingston Film Festival 2020
Best Northern Film - Women X Film Festival 2021
Best Film Runner Up - Manchester Kinofilm Festival 2021
Special Mention - Cardiff International Film Festival 2020
Special Mention - Two Short Nights International Film Festival 2021
Press
"Engaging sound design, true to life writing, and convincing performances make 'Scrum' a powerful short, that I believe will resonate with many people for a variety of reasons." Larissa Hird for Rianne Pictures
"Don't be fooled into thinking it's purely a sport film - 'Scrum' is a character portrait that digs deep into motherhood, taking an experimental approach to examine what happens when two people lock horns." Tommy Gillard's Two Short Night Picks
"Kate Graham’s direction was just gorgeous, it was a scene I recognise so well (coming from a rugby-loving, working class, northern family) and Graham perfectly captured the dreariness of a Northern town and the juxtaposition of the glamorous ladies within them." Screen Queens Women X Festival 2021: The Roundup
"This short film is beautiful in story and tone as we see stereotypes challenged." Scrum – Short Film Review
"This mother-daughter focused story is beautifully shot against the backdrop of Leeds, Yorkshire." NFF Review: Women in Film Strand
"Exploring a topic so close to home, this short had me weeping long after it finished." Women X Festival 2021: Short Film Highlights
"Graham’s film explores both sides of their tussle, finding empathy with Michelle’s struggles and beauty in the bruising game Jodie loves." Film Hub North