A kiss can be dangerous for some people living with food allergies.
When you have a food allergy, exposure to an allergen can come not just from eating a food, there are other risks too – a fact that many people who don’t have food allergies are unaware of.
A Matter of Minutes: A short thriller film that highlights the urgency of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition for people with allergies.
When you have a food allergy, exposure to an allergen can come not just from eating a food – there are other risks too. To highlight the threats of food allergies and the importance of knowing what to do during anaphylaxis, The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation has partnered with Academy Award® winning Slick Films to help promote a new short film: A MATTER OF MINUTES.
This hard-hitting film, inspired by true events, shows the dangers of living with a food allergy and the realities of anaphylaxis. If you have experienced anaphylaxis or have witnessed anaphylaxis, this film comes with a trigger warning.
It depicts 17-year-old Ava’s attempts to have fun at her first house party spiral when a severe allergic reaction threatens to take her life. The film is based on the personal experience of writer and producer Phoebe Campbell-Harris, who has a diagnosed allergy to nuts. With food allergies on the rise, the team behind A Matter of Minutes was determined to portray a realistic representation of anaphylaxis and the devastating consequences it can lead to. This film tackles severe allergies, teenage hedonism, and the murky waters of consent head-on.
Food allergies have doubled in the last decade in the UK and are becoming more severe.
Over the last 20 years, hospital admissions for severe allergic reactions to food have more than tripled, with young people most likely to be affected.
Anaphylaxis – the most severe type of allergic reaction to food – can develop and escalate very quickly following exposure to an allergen and, if not treated promptly, can be fatal.
Find out more about A Matter of Minutes in an article in The Times, and discover the reasons behind Phoebe's inspiration for creating this film.
When it comes to anaphylaxis…every minute matters.
A Matter of Minutes: A short thriller film that highlights the urgency of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition for people with allergies. The film was directed by Hannah Beach, written by Phoebe Campbell-Harris and produced by Sophie Stacey. It stars Emily Renée and Charlie Rowe.
Working together, Slick Films and The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation will ensure A MATTER OF MINUTES is seen by as many people as possible, to raise awareness of food allergies and to try to keep people with food allergies safe.
A MATTER OF MINUTES is currently making its way through the film festival circuit and is set for general release in Autumn 2025.
To stay updated on its progress and release date, join Natasha’s Army by signing up [here].
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, founder of Natasha’s Foundation, said:
‘Millions of people in the UK are now living with a diagnosed food allergy. Food allergies can be a serious, unpredictable and potentially life-threatening health condition, with far-reaching impacts on the lives not just of those with the allergy but on their loved ones too. They can make everyday activities such as eating out or going to parties fraught with anxiety and potential dangers. This hard-hitting film reveals the hidden dangers that young people with food allergies may face. I would urge everyone to watch A MATTER OF MINUTES so that they better understand how quickly a food allergy can escalate, and how important it is to be aware of what to do in the event of a medical emergency.’
Phoebe Campbell-Harris (Writer & Producer):
“The story of A Matter of Minutes is based on a personal experience I had when I was a teenager and kissed someone on a night out who had just eaten nuts, unbeknownst to me. Fortunately, I was with a friend who supported me through my reaction, however the question of ‘what if’ kept niggling at me. What if my friend was lost to the crowd? What if my phone had died? What if everyone else was so drunk they infringed on the help I needed?”
Hannah Beach (Director):
“Before this project, I was admittedly quite ignorant about the reality of severe allergies, mainly due to inaccurate depictions I’d seen in the media. So when Phoebe approached me with the script, it seemed like a good opportunity to not only educate myself, but also change the way allergies are portrayed on screen, in the hope of tackling common misconceptions and educating others.”
Sophie Stacey (Producer):
“I’ve never had such a sense of dread and anxiety when reading a script before A Matter of Minutes; I was immediately engaged and struggled to think of an allergy portrayal on screen that wasn’t used in a comedic way. It has been an honour to be on this journey with Hannah and Phoebe and I really hope this film sparks conversation and awareness.”
