What does home really mean if your village cannot offer that safe space?

That is the question poised in a powerful new short film created by Trybe House Theatre to celebrate International Men’s Day.

Trybe House Theatre is a social enterprise dedicated to supporting young Black men between the ages of 18 and 26 through theatre, helping them to explore their mental health, express themselves, and find a sense of belonging. They do this with a safe space for Black men to come together to develop their confidence, creativity, and skills- both as artists and as individuals. 

The new short film has been produced by Mill Road, who are well known for their powerful social impact films. Trybe House won a competition earlier in the year which resulted in this powerful platform. 

The film was developed and directed by filmmaker Carly Claydon-Davies, who has previously produced campaign films for Dirt is Good (Unilever and Arsenal FC), Investing in Women, Pregnant Then Screwed, the Early Education and Childcare Coalition and Flex Appeal. You can find more of her work here. 

The film ‘If home is where the heart is’ opens showing three different Black men, all from different backgrounds and the different roads that their lives take. Yet all of these different paths lead to the same studio space in Brixton, where they come together at the end of the film. 

Through the scrip,t they tackle difficult themes, explaining the stigma and social barriers that come inherently with being black.

It is hoped that the new film will highlight the day to day hardship that black men face today because of the colour of their skin, and will also show the community that Trybe House Theatre has brought together. The campaign has been designed to inspire more young Black men to join in with the programme, and to feel at home in this community of men all seeking belonging and acceptance. 

Philip Morris, Artistic Director of Trybe House Theatre, explained: “Mental health among Black men is an urgent issue, with many struggling in silence due to stigma, lack of support, or societal barriers. Trybe House Theatre provides a space where these young men can be vulnerable, find joy, and develop the confidence to tell their own stories. This film will allow us to share their journeys with a wider audience, securing the funding and support we need to keep this work alive. By capturing the heart of what we do-through powerful imagery, and raw emotion—we aim to inspire donors, sponsors, and new supporters to invest in our mission.” 

He continued: “This film isn’t just about us, it’s about the future of countless young Black men who deserve spaces where they can be seen, heard, and uplifted.”

Carly Claydon-Davies, Filmmaker and Founder of Mill Road, added: “We are living in a time of increasing division and fear of ‘otherness’. ‘If Home is Where The Heart Is’ draws attention to the effect this scrutiny and hostility has on young black men within our society who, like the rest of us, deserve a safe place to call home.”

She continued: “Trybe House Theatre embodies this provision of safety, community and expression and is doing such brilliant work with limited resources – they were a clear winner for our Reach competition which aims to give a voice through film to a deserving organisation. Mill Road is all about the production of films that move the world forward – and we have strong hopes that ‘If Home is Where the Heart Is’ will do just that.”

To find out more about Trybe House Theatre please click here.