Hooked is a short film written and directed by Rotherham-based filmmaker Jade Strain, exploring addiction and systematic failures within UK support services.
The film is based on the true story of Caleb Hancock, a Sheffield resident who passed away in supported living accommodation in December 2024 after battling an addiction to prescription painkillers.
Hooked is being developed with the full support of Mr Hancock’s family. Ms Strain knew him through a friend, and described him as “super fun, bright and cheerful.”
She said: “After going to his funeral, and obviously seeing his family and all of the people that were there who obviously loved him very much, I think writing the script was just a really cathartic way of getting out the thoughts that were in my head about how unfair it all was.
“And then, when I looked back at it, I thought this could go somewhere. I didn’t want it to just stay on paper.”
The film was shortlisted for the BFI Short Film Fund in 2025, and has received £500 of funding from The Cutlers’ Charitable Trust.
Hooked has also partnered with The Forward Trust, a social justice charity working supporting people recovering from addiction.
Ms Strain hopes the film can “make a difference for the people in South Yorkshire in some small capacity, or just improve understanding about addiction and how easily it can begin.”
She said: “Everyone has some experience with mental health or addiction in some way, so if we can just start talking about it a bit more and improve understanding, that would be incredible.”
5565 people died from drug-related causes in 2024, and South Yorkshire currently has 1.5x-2x the national average of drug-related deaths.
Additionally, in 2023 South Yorkshire had the highest number of self-reported mental health issues in England.
A crowdfunder has been launched to cover cast and crew costs, equipment hire and other production fees. The crowdfunder has currently raised just under £2000, and hopes to raise at least £6500.
Hooked is fully cast and hopes to go into production in March. The film will star Emmerdale actor Macaulay Cooper, and the crew has credits from shows such as House of The Dragon and Who Wants to Be A Millionaire.
The film will be distributed freely for anyone to watch.
You can support the crowdfunder here: Hooked: Addiction & Mental Health Short Film – a Creative & Arts crowdfunding project in Mexborough by Hooked Short Film