Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Georgia’s best friend reveals that she’s started cam-girling. Her boyfriend, Ethan, privately dismisses it as trashy until curiosity gets the better of him. Secretly drawn into her world of online performances, he becomes obsessed, unaware that each visit seems to trigger a strange, worsening rash on Georgia’s body. As the line between digital desire and physical consequence blurs, Ethan spirals into guilt and paranoia, convinced his hidden obsession is somehow harming the person he loves. But while he tries to suppress the truth, Georgia begins to embrace the transformation, finding strength in the very thing that’s pulling them apart.
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Skin Deep by Hector Bell
hectorbell.com
"The idea from the get-go was to make a film that captures the performative open-mindedness, particularly now in a time where people are more aware of being sex positive in general life, but maybe don’t like what that means in practice. In the original idea, there wasn’t going to be any link between what Ethan does and what Georgia goes through. I think I thought there’d be something funny about someone doing this and then getting super paranoid when their partner got sick. Something just kind of pathetic about it. It just gradually built up from there over time, having an actual supernatural link between the two seemed like the logical next step to go bigger and visually tell the story."
🎙️ Dive deeper into the making of Skin Deep with our exclusive interview with writer/director Hector Bell
directorsnotes.com/2026/05/19/hector-bell-skin-deep
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// Credits //
Produced by Samantha Locock
Written and Directed by Hector Bell
Ethan - Alexander Holley
Georgia - Megan Rose Placito
Kizzy - Erin Leighton
Executive Producers: Susie Millward, Freddie Bell & James Carroll
First Assistant Director: Lulu Freeman
Director of Photography: Declan Duffy
First Assistant Camera: Jojo Bossman
Second Assistant Camera: Cameron Medford-Hawkins
Second Assistant Camera: Sam Clark
Grip: Cameron Armstrong
Gaffer: Michael Fokias
Best Boy: Joe Hunt
Spark: Hassaan Menk
Spark: Stan Lewis
Spark Trainee: Nicole Hewes
Production Designer: Jonas Morgan
Art Department Assistant: John Butcher
Art Department Driver: Noah Morgan
Art Department Runner: Howie Phillips
Art Department Runner: James Milner
Sound Recordist: Ian Bedwell
Hair and Make Up Designer : Anna Randall
Hair and Make Up Artist: Lewis Sharpe
Editor: Hector Bell
Sound Designer: Dale Curtis
Composer: Jamie Farrington
Colourist: Thomas Kumeling at DOMA
Colour Producer: Grace Evers-Green
VFX: Ewan McIntosh
Stills Photographer: Charlie Guy
Key Art Designer: Jay Bennett
Camera Hire: Focus Canning
Lighting Hire: GreenKit
Catering: Desi Cafe
Special Thanks
Neve Bell, Jane Butcher, Patricia Whittock, Bruton Community Hall, Georgia Beaufort, Tom Highnam, Jamie Farrington, Cathy Stern, Cal Richards, Brett O'Connor, Harry Coke, Brigit Willment, Lisa Marinou
ABOUT DIRECTORS NOTES
Since 2006 Directors Notes has curated the world's best independent films alongside exclusive daily deep dive interviews which provide behind the scenes insights into the inspirations and production stories of the most talented filmmakers on the planet.
#bodyhorror #horrorshort #shortfilm #toxicmasculinity
Georgia’s best friend reveals that she’s started cam-girling. Her boyfriend, Ethan, privately dismisses it as trashy until curiosity gets the better of him. Secretly drawn into her world of online performances, he becomes obsessed, unaware that each visit seems to trigger a strange, worsening rash on Georgia’s body. As the line between digital desire and physical consequence blurs, Ethan spirals into guilt and paranoia, convinced his hidden obsession is somehow harming the person he loves. But while he tries to suppress the truth, Georgia begins to embrace the transformation, finding strength in the very thing that’s pulling them apart.
🔔 Love indie films? SUBSCRIBE to Directors Notes for more trailblazing shorts: youtube.com/c/directorsnotes
🎥 Want to see your film here? Submit your work to Directors Notes: directorsnotes.com/submit
Skin Deep by Hector Bell
hectorbell.com
"The idea from the get-go was to make a film that captures the performative open-mindedness, particularly now in a time where people are more aware of being sex positive in general life, but maybe don’t like what that means in practice. In the original idea, there wasn’t going to be any link between what Ethan does and what Georgia goes through. I think I thought there’d be something funny about someone doing this and then getting super paranoid when their partner got sick. Something just kind of pathetic about it. It just gradually built up from there over time, having an actual supernatural link between the two seemed like the logical next step to go bigger and visually tell the story."
🎙️ Dive deeper into the making of Skin Deep with our exclusive interview with writer/director Hector Bell
directorsnotes.com/2026/05/19/hector-bell-skin-deep
👉 Follow Us for More Short Film Greatness:
Newsletter: directorsnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Instagram: instagram.com/directorsnotes
Podcast: pod.link/192507317
// Credits //
Produced by Samantha Locock
Written and Directed by Hector Bell
Ethan - Alexander Holley
Georgia - Megan Rose Placito
Kizzy - Erin Leighton
Executive Producers: Susie Millward, Freddie Bell & James Carroll
First Assistant Director: Lulu Freeman
Director of Photography: Declan Duffy
First Assistant Camera: Jojo Bossman
Second Assistant Camera: Cameron Medford-Hawkins
Second Assistant Camera: Sam Clark
Grip: Cameron Armstrong
Gaffer: Michael Fokias
Best Boy: Joe Hunt
Spark: Hassaan Menk
Spark: Stan Lewis
Spark Trainee: Nicole Hewes
Production Designer: Jonas Morgan
Art Department Assistant: John Butcher
Art Department Driver: Noah Morgan
Art Department Runner: Howie Phillips
Art Department Runner: James Milner
Sound Recordist: Ian Bedwell
Hair and Make Up Designer : Anna Randall
Hair and Make Up Artist: Lewis Sharpe
Editor: Hector Bell
Sound Designer: Dale Curtis
Composer: Jamie Farrington
Colourist: Thomas Kumeling at DOMA
Colour Producer: Grace Evers-Green
VFX: Ewan McIntosh
Stills Photographer: Charlie Guy
Key Art Designer: Jay Bennett
Camera Hire: Focus Canning
Lighting Hire: GreenKit
Catering: Desi Cafe
Special Thanks
Neve Bell, Jane Butcher, Patricia Whittock, Bruton Community Hall, Georgia Beaufort, Tom Highnam, Jamie Farrington, Cathy Stern, Cal Richards, Brett O'Connor, Harry Coke, Brigit Willment, Lisa Marinou
ABOUT DIRECTORS NOTES
Since 2006 Directors Notes has curated the world's best independent films alongside exclusive daily deep dive interviews which provide behind the scenes insights into the inspirations and production stories of the most talented filmmakers on the planet.
#bodyhorror #horrorshort #shortfilm #toxicmasculinity
