Letitia Wright Makes Bold Directorial Debut with Highway to the Moon!

7th May 2025

Letitia Wright, best known for her breakout role in Black Panther, is stepping behind the camera for the first time with her directorial debut Highway to the Moon—a deeply personal and emotionally charged short film that will premiere on May 31 at the South London Film Festival.

Wright not only directed, but also wrote and produced the film, which stars Kenyah Sandy and Lamar Waves. Described as a coming-of-age fantasy drama, Highway to the Moon tells the story of Micah (played by Sandy), a young Black man who finds himself in the Inbetween—a surreal realm between life and death—after his life is tragically cut short. Guided by a group of other young men who share similar fates, Micah embarks on a journey through grief, identity, and rediscovery. The film explores what it means to be a young Black man in today’s world, emphasizing empathy, healing, and the power of community.

Wright was inspired to create the film in response to the ongoing knife crime crisis in London—a topic that has hit close to home. She saw storytelling as a way to process grief and open up important conversations around the systemic issues behind the violence. “Highway to the Moon was born from both my personal experience and personal loss,” Wright said in a statement. “The film is my way of exploring joy, love, and unity, and I want to show these boys in a way that is not connected to a stereotype, but instead explores their emotions, complexities, hopes, dreams, disappointments and fears, and allows them to see themselves as worthy, with lives that have meaning.”

Calling the project a “love letter to young Black men all over the world,” Wright emphasized the importance of premiering the film in a space that would resonate with the community it represents. “I felt it was crucial to premiere the film at a festival that supports emerging filmmakers in our community,” she explained. “The South London Film Festival’s target audience aligns with the young people I aimed to reach with this film, and I hope it resonates with them.”

Wright also spoke about how the filmmaking process has helped her grow as an artist. “Through this journey of creating my debut film, I’ve grown even more as an artist and want to continue discovering and telling powerful stories that inspire me, and that connect with an audience.”

As anticipation builds for the premiere, it’s clear that Highway to the Moon is more than just a film—it’s a heartfelt statement, a healing space, and an invitation for dialogue.

 

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