EXCLUSIVE: First Behind the Scenes look at comedy short ‘The Funeral List’, starring Lola Blue and writer-director Stefania Aronica
08 September 2026 | By Natalia Albin
Written, directed and starring Stefania Aronica, The Funeral List follows a woman in her twenties who, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, organises her own funeral with her best friend. It’s an exploration of how people find connection and humour through unexpected life changes.
Aronica works as an NHS radiographer alongside her filmmaking career and it was her experience working in healthcare that informed the film’s approach. “This is a story born from a deeply personal space,” she says. “I spend my days working directly with cancer patients. I can say that human beings will always look for reasons to laugh.” She adds that it was important for The Funeral List to shine a light on the task of organising one’s own funeral and how beautiful and moving it can be. “Ultimately this film is dedicated to everyone who has ever found a reason to smile when the world felt heaviest,” she finishes.
The short also stars Lola Blue (A Kind Of Spark, The Birth Of A Mall Goth). “Lola, leading the story, brings the perfect balance of emotional depth and comedic timing needed to shape the narrative,” Aronica says. It also features Kemi Adekoya (Dreaming Whilst Black, BAFTA nominated Festival of Slaps) and Bharti Patel (Doctors).
Produced by Folium Pictures, Aronica will also be collaborating with a cancer charity and hopes to raise money to support cancer research.
See first look BTS of the short below:
