Eggs and Soldiers (2026), film still

Eggs and Soldiers

About this Short Film

Hannah, a talented young chef with an undiagnosed reading difficulty, struggles to keep pace in a busy restaurant kitchen where handwritten orders are the norm. During a hectic breakfast service, she misreads a ticket and serves the wrong meal, leading to a humiliating confrontation with an angry customer that triggers a panic attack. When her colleagues and boss recognise the challenges she faces, they respond with understanding rather than judgment. Together, they adapt the workplace to better support her, introducing new ways of communicating orders that allow Hannah's culinary skills to shine. Through compassion, teamwork, and inclusion, Hannah regains her confidence and discovers that her disability does not define her ability to succeed.

Film Details

Country: Australia
Category: School Short
Genre: Drama
Festival Year: 2026

Film Transcript

Man, she looks so hot and way out of my league. But I got the courage up and I asked her for a dance and I tripped on my own feet and face planted in front of her. Pretty sure I've been in therapy for years. Oh, you should have made out like it was a dance move or something. Thing is, as she was helping me up, I bumped straight into a waiter carrying a tray of champagne. Bubbles everywhere. The scene was like a massive snow blow.

Oh, it's Saturday morning service and you know how it goes. So how about you stop suffering on when I'm not here and get into it straight away, unless you're still hopeful of becoming a professional face planter. It was him. Hey, who made this? Newbie, don't rush it today. Clean woods always beats the fast work. Remember that.

It's nuts out there today. Nobody's got their coffee yet; it's like a life or death situation. And table 12 just asks if we roast the beans ourselves. Hey, wait. Can you—if you don't run the kitchen, the kitchen wants you. Chef. Table 28. Want it? Excuse me. Staff only. Are you the chef? Sue, chef. I don't care what breed of chef you are. Did you cook my food? Yeah, I did. Is there a problem? What do you call this? Eggs and soldiers. Is it just? And what did I order? Oh, well, I mean, presumably—how the hell do you get eggs and soldiers mixed up with egg salad? I read the ticket and it said what? Sir, we can remake it. I didn't ask you. Look, I can remake it for you. I don't want to hear it.

Heat. Hannah, all good, boss. Julian, please. I'm coming in and HR can shout at me tomorrow; I don't really want to talk right now. You know, your name works the same way forwards as it does backwards. Not helping. Well, I get it; not everyone's perfect, but you're here for a reason. Doesn't feel that way. Julian, wait. We're not ready to spell and be out there. You're here because you're a fantastic chef treasure, and I'll take one fantastic chef over ten good spellers in a week.

Come on, chef. Coffee is a bit stronger today. Good breakfast, chef. What on your—what? Two big breakfast specials. Chef, onions in one. Five minutes. Heat.

Filmmaker

Kellyville High School Media Team is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Kellyville High School Media Team.

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