To Catch A Siren (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

To Catch A Siren is a 19-minute fantasy drama about Roya, a young refugee determined to find her missing mother. Believing that her mother has become a mermaid, Roya’s search places family, displacement and imagination at the center of this short film from director Raphaela Wagner.

To Catch A Siren is a 2026 fantasy drama short directed by Raphaela Wagner and written by Harvey John. The film follows Roya, a young refugee searching for her mother and holding on to the belief that she is a mermaid.

With a 19-minute runtime, the film combines fantasy, drama and family storytelling. Its premise centers on a child’s determined search and the imaginative explanation she gives to an absence she cannot otherwise understand.

To Catch A Siren movie details

Story without spoilers

The story follows Roya, a young refugee who is desperately looking for her mother. Roya believes her mother may be a mermaid, giving her search a fantastical dimension while keeping the emotional focus on separation and family.

The available synopsis does not disclose how Roya’s search unfolds or what she discovers. As a short film, To Catch A Siren presents its central idea in a compact format, linking a grounded personal situation with a mythic possibility.

What to expect

Viewers can expect a concise blend of fantasy, drama and family-oriented storytelling. The refugee experience provides the film’s real-world foundation, while the belief that Roya’s mother is a mermaid introduces an element of mystery and imagination.

The 19-minute length suggests a focused narrative rather than an expansive fantasy world. The supplied information does not specify the film’s visual approach, tone beyond its listed genres, or the resolution of Roya’s search, so those details are best left to the film itself.

Cast and creative team

Layla Badat leads the cast as Roya. Melissa Knatchbull plays Sister Cordelia, Hannah Ferris plays Lottie, Jessica Johnson plays Kamyra, Tayah Callender plays Pippa, Sanee Raval plays Mr Anderson and Jane Withers plays Mrs Anderson.

Raphaela Wagner directs To Catch A Siren from a screenplay by Harvey John.

• Layla Badat as Roya
• Melissa Knatchbull as Sister Cordelia
• Hannah Ferris as Lottie
• Jessica Johnson as Kamyra
• Tayah Callender as Pippa
• Sanee Raval as Mr Anderson
• Jane Withers as Mrs Anderson

Release and production context

To Catch A Siren is listed as a 2026 film with a release date of October 10, 2026. It has a runtime of 19 minutes and is classified as a short film in the fantasy, drama and family genres. The production company is Developing Room Films. No country or spoken language is listed in the supplied information.

Production companies: Developing Room Films

Movies Dock view

To Catch A Siren pairs a refugee child’s search for her mother with the imaginative belief that she may be a mermaid. Its short runtime and focused premise position it as a compact family drama with a clear fantasy element, led by Layla Badat as Roya.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb