Only A Man is a thought-provoking drama short film that aims to spark a conversation about the Black family and its portrayal in today's society. The film follows Otis (Conrad Coates), an absentee father who, upon learning about his terminal illness, sets out to mend his relationship with his two children. While his son, Marvin (Shamar Pile), is open to the idea of reconciliation, his daughter, Etta (Sagine Semajuste), is resistant to his plea to die in peace.

Caught in the middle is Patsy Duncan (Melanie Nicholls-King), the children’s fiercely protective mother, whose complicated past with Otis is marked by unresolved betrayal, deep regret, and a desperate hope to shield Etta from further emotional harm.