Projects in categories: Documentary

Synopsis

Once the largest women’s prison in Europe, Holloway Prison now lies empty. Six former prisoners walk back through its gates. Though they have different personalities, backgrounds, hopes and dreams, they are all determined to reclaim their stories and give voice to the voiceless women still behind bars. As they explore the empty cells and corridors where they once lived, memories resurface. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2024 - Documentary Competition - World premiere

Synopsis

A documentary that looks intimately at the incredible life story that shaped an iconic female musician who defined an era - The Selecter’s Pauline Black. Pauline Black goes on an odyssey looking at her personal experience of identity and how it has informed her life and art. The Two Tone movement was the perfect setting for Pauline with her mixed British, Nigerian and Jewish heritage. It was the catalyst that allowed her to explore and express all sides of herself and figure out who she is. Looking at her own groundbreaking experience, Pauline traces how her legacy is relevant to the world around her today where modern society pushes the boundaries of gender, politics, race and identity. “More than anything I wanted my family to finally say my name, Pauline Black. They could never bring themselves to say the B word. After years of being called half-caste or coloured, I could say it loud and proud, Pauline Black. I wanted to assert my new identity, fashioned in my own image, not somebody else’s idea of who I should be. My rebirth was complete. The ‘rude girl’ I had invented had a new name, Pauline Black.” Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2024 - World premiere Official Selection CPH:DOX 2025 - International premiere

Synopsis

SUBURBAN FURY revisits the 1975 assassination attempt on President Gerald Ford through the perspective of would-be assassin Sara Jane Moore, a conservative, middle-aged mother who became radicalized while working as an FBI informant. Freed after serving 32 years of a life sentence, Moore returns to San Francisco under watch of the Secret Service to tell the extraordinary story of her transformation from suburban housewife to government infiltrator to far-left extremist. Interweaving rarely seen archival footage with an imaginatively staged dialogue between Sara Jane Moore, the informant, and Bert Worthington, her FBI control agent, the documentary features exclusive access to Moore, revealing a beguiling, and often seemingly unreliable, narrator. Her true nature, as well as the validity of political violence, are ultimately left up to the mind and heart of the viewer. Official Selection New York Film Festival 2024 - World premiere

Synopsis

A personal essay film centring on a sci-fi B-movie shot in Hemel Hempstead about the arrival of a non-human entity infiltrating the minds of residents with a toxic black slime. Playing a composite character of herself and the movie’s detective protagonist, filmmaker Danielle Dean brings together real and imagined worlds, past and present. Official Selection New York Film Festival 2024 - World premiere Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2024 - European premiere

Synopsis

In a Britain gripped by the cost-of-living crisis, shoplifting is on the rise, this poignant short film weaves together the stories of women pushed to the edge by poverty, offering a stark yet empathetic look at the desperation driving them to break the law to survive. Through their experiences, we gain a deeper understanding of the societal forces at play in a country on the brink.

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A woman at the end of her life wanders lost in the woods where her memories find her. Seamlessly blending historical archive footage with dramatizations, the narrative explores how nature connects us to our past.

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Chronicling the inspiring and offbeat recovery of Joanna Callaghan, a two-time hereditary cancer survivor, who takes a radically creative approach to healing after breast cancer treatment. Following a double mastectomy, Joanna reclaims her body in the most unexpected ways - building a giant inflatable breast, devising song-and-dance routines inspired by post-surgery exercises, and throwing a party to celebrate breasts. Her journey is not just one of physical healing but also a powerful exploration of body acceptance and resilience. Through a blend of self-shot footage, animation, and archival clips, the film brings humour and heart to the sensitive topic of breast cancer recovery. Joanna’s imaginative outlook shines through as she revisits her treatment, reconnects with family, and meets other survivors to share stories. Along the way, she faces the emotional toll of illness, navigates her own transformation, and demonstrates the power of creativity as a tool for survival. This raw yet uplifting documentary delivers a message of hope and joy, shedding light on the deeply personal and universal experiences of those affected by breast cancer. Its inventive approach and fresh perspective on survivorship inspires viewers to find humour, hope, and healing even in the most difficult circumstances.

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Facing pressure from developers, Catherine must fight to save her family’s farm. It is her home, her livelihood, and a haven for wildlife.

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This film covers the extraordinary story of the former bare knuckle champion, Dave Radford. Follow Dave's relentless journey through life as, he climbs the ranks to fight the likes of Roberto Duran and Michael Bisping, before a tragic accident threatens his whole career...

Synopsis

Featuring contributions from Dustin Hoffman, Paul McCartney, Charlotte Tilbury, Joanna Lumley and many more, TWIGGY is an exploration of the model’s upbringing, career, relationships and everything else that has made her the woman she is today, with Twiggy telling her story for the first time. Official Selection Rio de Janeiro Film Festival 2024 - World premiere Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2024 - European premiere Official Selection CPH:DOX 2025

Synopsis

The feature debut from Carmen Chaplin. Charlie Chaplin's family embark on a revealing journey into the Gypsy heritage that inspired the creation of his infamous and beloved character The Tramp. Featuring exclusive interviews and unprecedented access to the Chaplin estate, thanks to the participation of the Chaplin Office, the Chaplin family, and MK2 Films, the film is a revealing exploration of Chaplin’s Romany heritage constructed from intimate interviews, film extracts, home movies and contributions from renowned contemporary Roma artists. Official Selection San Sebastián International Film Festival 2024 - World premiere San Sebastián International Film Festival 2024 - Winner - Irizar Basque Film Award

Synopsis

In 1960 a young Irish woman named Edna O'Brien wrote a sexually frank debut novel, 'The Country Girls'. She became a literary sensation, writing for The New Yorker, delivering provocative interviews, and authoring screenplays. Her success enraged her writer husband and made her a pariah in her native Ireland, where her books were banned and burned. She would make her home in London, where she conducted numerous love affairs, hosted star-studded parties, and made and lost a fortune. In July 2024, Edna passed away and this film provides a final testimony from her, aged 93, as she reflects upon her extraordinary life for filmmaker Sinéad O'Shea's camera. Granting the director access to her personal journals (made public for the first time), which are read aloud by Irish actress Jessie Buckley. With additional perspectives offered from Gabriel Byrne, Walter Mosley and an array of renowned writers, Edna does not shy from any subject. Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024 - World premiere Official Selection Cork International Film Festival 2024 - European premiere Official Selection CPH:DOX 2025