The Intimacy Coordinator

Following the Me-Too movement in 2017, intimacy coordinators became an industry standard within entertainment, having previously been an informal role. Their duty is to protect and advocate for the actors on set if they are to film scenes of a sexual nature, including (but not limited to) being nude, simulating sex, and similarly sexualised sequences. So what would happen if a person in this delicate yet essential post is a sex addict themselves?

This is the setup for the incredible short film The Intimacy Coordinator from filmmaker Louisa Connolly-Burnham, who writes, directs, and stars in the leading role of Kate. 

Presented as a dark thriller, we see Kate as she operates as a seemingly professional intimacy coordinator on a new project. As she helps the film’s main actors (played by Kieron Moore and Sophie Simnett) navigate the intimate scenes needed for the shoot, it becomes clear that Kate has a secret dark side. This manifests in inappropriate requests of the actors, exploiting a sex addiction help group, and engaging in wild and violent behaviour. This intimacy coordinator is the villain and, sardonically, the reason why her job is so necessary.

The short film goes even further, though. Whilst Kate is most definitely monstrous, culminating in a fantastic final scene with actor Max (Moore), we also see glimpses of how flawed she is: exposing herself to dangerous encounters with strangers and having a particularly unhelpful exchange with her mother on the phone about getting help for sex addiction. It’s a thought-provoking watch, as the female character is both a predatory villain abusing her position and power over vulnerable people, but also a victim of addiction.

There is a plethora of wonderful performances in The Intimacy Coordinator, not least Louisa Connolly-Burnham as Kate. She is ferocious to watch, peppering the drama with lascivious intensity. The sound design also accentuates the character’s turpitude. Keiron Moore is suitably impressive as the vulnerable actor, unable to communicate his discomfort with Kate’s behaviour.

To have offered this kind of story with a male character would be fascinating to measure the audience reaction. A brilliant film that comes to mind is Shame, starring Michael Fassbender, or the short film Backstage that also deals with abuses of power by women within the entertainment industry. 

With The Intimacy Coordinator, the writer has created and delivered a formidable tale more than worthy of entry into the "Sex Addiction" genre, one that pays respect to the sensitive issues whilst also being powerfully entertaining.

One of the best short films of 2026.