FarEye brings a sensitive, spiritual, and soft-hearted story to HollyShorts Film Festival 2026 in Hollywood, California. British writer-director, Hayden Mclean’s short film follows the transformative journey of Khalil from a young boy, played by Djamari Roberts to a man, played by reggae musician and two-time Grammy nominee, Jesse Royal. Set in rural Jamaica, Khalil’s story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.
It’s title ‘FarEye’ translates as ‘telescope’ in literary terms (most famously used as a reoccurring archaic term in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book series). From its title alone this film could be interpreted that we are looking into Khalil’s future.
A Thoughtful, Spiritual Journey
Mclean excellently plays with time. From flashforwards to flashbacks, Khalil progresses from fleeing his home to finding a spiritual community and perfectly tells the reason why. Thrown straight into the action, the opening shows Khalil running away seemingly from someone chasing him.
The scene then cuts just at the right time to flashback to what he’s escaping from. Young Khalil’s family is broken. As his mother and younger sibling escape the abusive household, Khalil is left alone with his father. Despite this heartbreaking opening, there’s still hope for Khalil.
In its somber tone, Mclean handles the tough topic with such a nuanced understanding. Part of your own heart breaks as you desperately want to reach through the screen and help Khalil. But FarEye doesn’t feel like a film. Khalil’s intuition really shines through in his journey. For a young lead character, he comes to realise that no one can help him. Instead, he’s digging deep down into his own soul to discover who he is and where he stands in this world.
Escaping his troubled home life and finding his identity – young Jamaican boy, Khalil finds inner peace with a Rastafari community which is led by spirit, faith, and music. But what he discovers in his journey within his own soul changes his life forever.
Khalil travels on a spiritual journey – penned with a beautifully poetic script by Mclean. There are thought-provoking lines which make you stop and think about your own spiritual journey too. However, there’s so much potential here to be a feature-length film. Roberts plays the lead with emotional resonance. Although, his story brings a heartbreaking past, his future is lit by the guiding path of faith.
FarEye: Beautifully Poetic
FarEye boasts a strong three-act-structure which plays with time, along with chiming countless well-written lines, and poetic dialogue. Mclean mixes extreme close-ups and establishing shots. It’s scenic filming locations add depth to Khalil’s spiritual journey. From his rural hometown to natural landscapes, including fields, forests, and the serene swaying trees in the woods to a peaceful lake and cascading waterfall. The way his environment changes speaks largely on his headspace.
The narration is cleverly voiced by an older version of Khalil. Meeting different spirits along the way – some people are tough on him whilst others are kinder. But with each turn in the story, Khalil is often alone. This is his individual journey to discover himself. He meets a spiritual community who lead with kindness and give thanks. He finally feels like he belongs.
Even with all of this pain and separation, there’s still more. Physical pain… that passes. But the spirit? That is eternal.
Khalil’s spiritual story transitions from a busy rural landscape to the calming natural forests. Escaping from his toxic household brings freedom in both physical and mental peace. This new environment gives Khalil space to be at one with this new version of himself.
From the writing to the directing, Mclean brings everything together so beautifully in FarEye. Maybe if you watch this film, your spiritual journey will change forever too?
Rating: 4 ½ stars
FarEye is part of Filmotomy’s coverage on HollyShorts Film Festival 2026.
You can read more reviews from the festival, including Laundreams here.
