How Do We Say This?

IN PRODUCTION

Two years after fleeing Ukraine, a nine-year-old boy translates for his grandmother in a London hospital.

‘‘…the bond between a child and a grandparent is its own kind of language - one I won’t attempt to define, but one I trust an audience will feel in How Do We Say This? Because in this film, that small act of being together is enough - carrying memory, identity, and hope in ways that do not require explanation...’’

Read Director’s Statement

  • How Do We Say This? follows nine-year-old Max during a hospital visit with his grandmother in London. With gentle guidance from the medical team - and a nudge from grandma - Max steps in to translate, helping the doctors understand her medical history.

    Through small acts of care, curiosity, and play, fragments of a larger story surface: a life in Ukraine upended by conflict, and the home Max and his family are building in the UK.

    Find out more in our Press & Partnership Kit.

  • Format: Short film (14 min)

    Language: Ukrainian/English

    Location: London

    Expected Shoot: Feb 2026

    Production Status: Pre-production - Seeking Partners

The Team

  • Fred Goudie

    Director and Co-Writer

    After two years of theatre at Actor’s East, Fred made his directorial debut earlier this year with Mirror Coloured Paint (starring Jack Parr and India Lillie Davies), slated for release in 2026.

  • Young man wearing a hoodie and beanie at a protest or rally, with signs and other protesters in the background.

    Yegor Grushko

    Co-writer and Producer

    Born and raised in Bila Tserkva, Yegor moved to London in 2017. Following the outbreak of war, Yegor helped organise the collection of food, clothes and first aid to the Ukrainian Social Club in London to be sent to Ukraine.

  • A young woman with long hair and a slight smile, wearing a textured sweater, sitting against a plain wall.

    Dr. Esme Goudie

    Co-writer and Medical Advisor

    Esme is a doctor currently training in paediatrics at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital. She obtained her medical degree from UCL.

  • Marcus Hodson

    As ‘Michael’

    Marcus’ screen credits include A Gentleman in Moscow (Paramount+), Dead Hot (Tubi), and Domino Day (BBC Three). Most recently he appeared in the highly anticipated TV series Sandokan, starring Ed Westwick, Owen Teale and John Hannah, slated for U.K release in 2026.

  • Black and white portrait of a young man with short dark hair, slight facial hair, wearing a dark shirt, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.

    Brenden Howley

    Producer

    Earlier this year, Brendan line produced All the Angels (starring Paddy Rowan and Corinna Brown). His acting credits include After Life and Silo, as well as The Yellow Tie and Shakespeare & Hathaway S6 - both to be released in 2026.

  • Black and white portrait of a young man with medium-length hair, wearing a dark shirt, looking at the camera with a neutral expression.

    Jack Parr

    Producer

    As an actor, Jack has starred in Peaky Blinders, Take Cover, and Masters of the Air. After directing the award-winning short The Drop (starring Aaron Von Andrian, Marcus Hodson and Oliver Devoti), Jack directed and produced his first feature film earlier this year, The Trial (starring Adam Long, Paul Kay and Con O’Neil), set for release in 2026.

  • Black and white photo of a woman with long hair, wearing a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves, looking at the camera with a slight smile, hair blowing in the wind.

    Rick Joaquim SASC

    Cinematographer

    Rick was featured in the prestigious ARRI Camera Showreel in 2019, and his work has since been showcased at leading festivals including Sundance, Cannes, Aesthetica, and the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. His work as a cinematographer has earned him multiple awards, including ‘Best Cinematography’ at the British Short Film Awards in both 2022 and 2024.

  • Black and white photo of a smiling man outdoors with trees in the background.

    Jenya (Yevheniia) Shymshyrian

    Ukrainian Casting

    Jenya is a London-based film-actress, originally from Ukraine. She is an acting teacher for children and adults, working at the Ukrainian Social Club in Twickenham. As the co-founder of London’s first Ukrainian Youth Theatre, she has directed several productions performed at venues across the city, including the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond.

Call To Action

How Do We Say This? has already received enthusiastic feedback from members of the Ukrainian community who have read the script. We’re now actively seeking further involvement from the Ukrainian community and partners beyond it.

Book cover titled 'How Do We Say This?' with subtitle 'Final Draft Script October 2025' by Fred Goudie, Esme Goudie, and Yegor Grushko.
Page from a screenplay with dialogue and stage directions, titled 'INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - CONTINUOUS.' The scene describes a hospital corridor, a curtain with fabric lining, a character named Charlotte giving a finishing call, and a boy at a gurney with a plastic bag clutching his chest. The screenplay includes dialogue about the boy's age and blood pressure, and mentions a camera staying low at the boy's height, with references to other characters.

  • We seek continued collaboration with community organisations and NGOs to ensure cultural authenticity, meaningful outreach, and engagement with Ukrainian audiences and those closest to the themes at the heart of How Do We Say This?

  • Funding needed for final development, production, and post-production phases.

Get involved.

We’d love to hear from you. Whether sharing insight, offering guidance, or supporting the film - help us bring this story to life.

  • Community Involvement:

    The story of How Do We Say This? has been shaped through dialogue with the Ukrainian community in London and those supporting refugees. We welcome further insight, collaboration, and involvement as the project continues.

  • Child Safety:

    For both authenticity and the protection of the child at its centre, How Do We Say This? was developed with guidance from co-writer and medical advisor Dr. Esme Goudie. Drawing on her experience in A&E and as a paediatrician, she shaped how the staff support Max, guiding how a child can participate safely within the hospital environment.

  • Language & Cultural Authenticity:

    Co-written by Yegor Grushko and guided by feedback from friends, family, and the Ukrainian community in London, the film’s language and translations are developed with close attention to cultural identity and lived experience.