FREEDOM SWIMMER documents a mass migration story from the 20th century, which is relatively untold in the Western world— and offers context for a city in turmoil, today.
A granddaughter asks her grandfather to recount his journey from China, swimming to Hong Kong in the 1970’s.
One of two million mainland residents who swam across the southern sea border. Many others died trying or were captured and sent to labour camps. He was one of the lucky ones.
From the 1950’s to 1980’s Hong Kong was a symbol of freedom to many Chinese, glimpsed across the water. The grandfather, like many others, went on to have a successful life in Hong Kong and was part of the working-class movement that helped transform the city into a financial success story.
FREEDOM SWIMMER explores the effect of past cultural trauma, exploring a new perspective on the current situation. It reflects the depth of a symbol that is ‘freedom’ - that Hong Kong both represents and holds onto so tightly.
On a wider-scale, this is a universal story of the dispossessed— what it takes to flee your country, what it means to fight for freedom, what it is like to leave everything in hope of liberty.
A poignant and challenging archive documentary that looks for the roots of the climate crisis in post-war history. Are we heading into new territory, or could we be caught in a cycle of familiar promises?
Is climate change the inevitable consequence of our quest for energy and growth? Where does culpability lie? Living Proof searches for the roots of the crisis in our recent history. Archive footage from Scotland's national archive portrays a country shaped by the demands of modernity while an eclectic soundtrack amplifies the voices of the past in powerful and unsettling ways.
An unsettling ghost story about a young girl's journey into her deepest fear - that her mother doesn't love her.
Official Selection Edinburgh International Film Festival 2021
A dramatic tale of the quest for residency in the United Kingdom.
Men and women from Africa came in search of greener pastures but met their nemesis as they go along. In this crazy pursuit of British passports, true love blossomed, and pain gained.
A heart-warming pawtrait of therapy dogs at work, rest and play. Many people in the UK sought a dog during lockdown to get themselves a whole lot of canine love… this dogumentary may even provide some therapy to the audience.
Zara, a schoolgirl in Karachi, shares a sensual dance video with her virtual boyfriend, who then blackmails her.
Official Selection Hamburg International Short Film Festival 2022
Official Selection International Film Festival Rotterdam 2026
Lisa, mid forties, has never truly left home. Stuck in an endless routine of cleaning and caring for her sick mother, today is tougher than most; she has missed the deadline on her final Masters assignment. Will she learn to establish necessary boundaries in her life before it’s too late?
A modern twist on an old ghost story. A group of diverse young women resurrect an ancient club to help them change the world, only to find the original members are still alive, and hungry for new blood...
Reverend Neil's life was once filled with frivolity and funk music. Now it's bingo and ready meals. So he decides to indulge his inner disco diva one more time.
Iris Prize Nomination 2022
Continuing the story of aspiring film student Julie.
Official Selection Cannes 2021 - Directors' Fortnight - World premiere
Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2021 - Gala
Both lonely for different reasons, Ali and Ava meet through their shared affection for Sofia, the child of Ali’s Slovakian tenants, whom Ava teaches. Ali finds comfort in Ava’s warmth and kindness and Ava finds Ali’s complexity and humour irresistible. Over a lunar month, sparks fly and a deep connection begins to grow. However, the legacy of Ava’s past relationship and Ali’s emotional turmoil at the breakdown of his marriage begins to overshadow their newfound passion.
Enveloped in music and imbued with humour, ALI AND AVA is a compelling contemporary love story written and directed by BAFTA-nominated Clio Barnard (THE ARBOR, THE SELFISH GIANT, DARK RIVER).
Official Selection Cannes Film Festival 2021 - Directors' Fortnight - World premiere
Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2021 - Special Presentation
