MARC CLEARY

WRITER’S STATEMENT

I always knew I wanted to tell my “coming out” story, but I didn’t want to do it in the obvious way, through sexuality. That felt like ground that’s been covered. For me, the real mirror of that experience was Wayne’s journey: coming out to his family about his eating disorder. The same fear, shame, and vulnerability live there, and it gave me the chance to explore that truth in a way that felt fresh. Much like the short, I want the feature to breathe in weird and wonderful ways, to let Wayne’s reality blur with his visions so the audience feels the chaos inside his head. The visual language of the short film came from both my background in choreography and Austin's, giving it a rhythm and flow that felt personal and intentional. There’s a raw discomfort in carrying shame, in holding a secret that big. Fuel taps into that unease by weaving in subtle, off-putting moments. It’s in those small fractures that the film connects with its audience, pulling them deeper into Wayne’s inner world.

BIOGRAPHY

MARC CLEARY Co-Writer & Director Marc Cleary is a decorated Irish writer and director whose work blends emotional honesty with striking visual storytelling. Growing up queer and biracial in Ireland shaped his passion for exploring identity, shame, and resilience through bold, unconventional narratives. With a background in dance and choreography, Marc brings a unique rhythm and movement to his films, grounding them with intimacy and a sense of surrealism. A pivotal career moment came when a rejected MTV pitch inspired Marc to create a daring visual proof of concept, one that sold in the room to Warner Brothers and The CW. That breakthrough cemented his reputation as a visionary storyteller, unafraid to turn setbacks into bold creative triumphs. Marc currently has three original TV drama series in development with Screen Ireland.