EXCLUSIVE: Lia Williams joins Margherita Barbieri and Luana Souza Rodrigues in cast of magical-realist short, ‘The Last Pancake’ from writer-director Ruby Phelan
07 September 2026 | By Natalia Albin
Left to right: Lia Williams, Margherita Barbiery (by Chris Mann), Luana Souza Rodrigues (by Jodie Camilla)
Written and directed by Ruby Phelan, The Last Pancake is a magical-realist tale following Amanda as she enters a café called The Last Pancake, where she awakens her suppressed appetite and reconnects with a lost part of herself.
Margherita Barbieri stars in the lead role, joined by Luana Souza Rodrigues in her screen debut. Short Stuff can exclusively reveal BAFTA-nominee Lia Williams (The Crown, May 33rd, The Missing, His Dark Materials, The Capture) rounds out the cast as the café’s mysterious, motherly waitress.
“The Last Pancake explores reconnecting with the severed feminine appetite,” says Phelan. “It’s a hopeful tale of inner transformation, inspired by my own journey of reuniting with my body during the depths of eating-disorder recovery. We bring together three generations of women to spearhead this story of strength and resistance. This story is one I wished I'd had when I was unwell.”
Barbieri, who has starred in over ten short films, says, "I think the stories I’m most drawn to are ultimately about returning to yourself. The body often begins that journey before we have language for it, through breath, mannerisms, movement and stillness. I think stories have the power to create a shared space of hope when we tell them, and being part of this film was such a gift because it gave me the opportunity to explore all of that through a character and story I care so deeply about.”
Souza Rodrigues, making her screen debut as a younger version of Amanda, says filming was "really fun because everyone was so kind.” She added excitedly that she got to eat lots of pancakes.
The project reunites producer Ethan McDowell of AnyOther. Productions with Phelan, following his role as Associate Producer on her debut short The Woman in The Wardrobe. Also returning from that film are composer Andrea Boccadoro and BIFA winning Hair & Make-Up Designer, Diandra Ferreira (Pillion, Heartstopper).
“We’ve brought together an exceptional cast and creative team who understood the tenderness, joy and magical world at the heart of Ruby’s story,” McDowell tells Short Stuff. “Lia and Margi bring so much depth to the film, while Luana gives a remarkably assured debut performance. It’s been a privilege to see this team bring such a personal and distinctive vision to the screen.”
Post-production was handled by Molinare, with casting by Harkin & Toth’s Oliver Scullion (Industry, Dune: Prophecy, What It Feels Like for a Girl) and special effects by 13 Finger FX's Dan Martin (The Banshees of Inisherin, Hoard, Infinity Pool, Censor).
Christopher Hyde and Cary McQueen of Voices With Impact serve as executive producers. Following its recent pre-screening in Vancouver, the film has now launched its international festival campaign.
Image credit: Maya Yoncali
