Projects in genres: History

Synopsis

Sue died suddenly in 1983, leaving behind three young children. Her son, filmmaker Eamon Bourke, was three and has no memories of his mother. When his father, John, decides to sell their remote cottage in Cumbria, Eamon doesn’t want to let it go, so returns to capture it on film. In the process of clearing the house, Eamon discovers a series of extraordinary cassette tapes recorded by Sue. These cassettes hold the memories Eamon has longed for. Sue’s voice lights up the film. But within the recordings are some devastating moments, including Sue falling ill with hepatitis. The last thing she recorded was her and Eamon singing together. Then another tape is discovered, broken and with a severed reel. Eamon repairs this cassette, revealing a heartbreaking recording that transports him back to the epicentre of the tragedy. Through interviews with his family members, alongside land art, animation and music, THE SOLWAY explores the trauma of losing a parent in early childhood and how the ripples of this grief linger into later life. Set amongst the cinematic beauty of the Lake District, this film has a rare magic to it and offers audiences a space to contemplate their own grief.

Synopsis

The controversy surrounding the Parthenon Marbles centres entirely on their initial acquisition and their current location in the British Museum. In 1983, when she became the Minister for Culture of Greece, the esteemed actress and politician Melina Mercouri reignited Greece’s argument that they were illegally removed from the Parthenon temple in Athens by Lord Elgin. The British Museum has consistently affirmed the legality of its acquisitions and that they are better and more securely preserved and appreciated in London. In the past, it has been stated that the sculptures are an essential part of its wider world collection, which enables visitors to understand both the full cultural and historical context of ancient Greece. Greece asserts that the sculptures are integral to its national identity and historical narrative, and that only their reunification with the remaining Parthenon artefacts in Athens can provide the fullest, most complete, and meaningful context for their display. With both sides standing firm on their positions, the debate remains unresolved. THE MARBLES advocates for reunification in what has become the art world’s most pressing issue.

Synopsis

2002: At 28, Kate Moss is already the greatest fashion icon of our time. Endlessly watchable, never predictable, always natural and utterly unpretentious. Kate shaped a generation. Yet she still yearns to be seen, truly seen. In a bold move, Kate enters Lucian Freud's studio. Two British cultural titans converge, and Kate bares herself. We are drawn into their world, feeling every brush stroke. Freud's genius explores Kate's hidden depths. Her complexity unfolds. A mesmerizing rapport develops. The wild party scene fades whilst self-discovery takes centre stage. Witness Kate's profound transformation. Freud keeps challenging her. She pushes back. Tension mounts. Truths emerge. Kate finds her voice, her strength, her true self. Kate blossoms from supermodel to eternal muse. This is a journey into the heart of an icon. Feel the real Kate Moss. Vulnerable. Defiant. Reborn. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2025 - World premiere Official Selection Rome Film Festival 2025 - International premiere

Synopsis

A poignant and poetic exploration of the rise and decline of Luton’s once vibrant Caribbean culture. Through intimate personal stories, rich historical context, and a cultural lens, the film traces how a thriving legacy rooted in migration, music, resistance, and community has been gradually eroded over the years. From the golden days of sound system culture and bustling youth clubs to the bouncing spirit of Luton Carnival formerly Europe’s largest one day Caribbean carnival, the film reflects on how these vital cultural institutions have been systematically dismantled through decades of underfunding, neglect, and shifting priorities. These weren’t just events or social spaces, they were expressions of identity and anchors of community. With vignettes/reenactments shot on 16mm film and interwoven with candid communal conversations, this documentary offers a poetic and thought provoking insight and invites audiences from all backgrounds to engage in deeper reflection on the value of heritage and the fragility of community spaces. The film ends on the question of: How do communities reclaim their space, their voice, and their future? Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2025

Synopsis

This film follows the growth of the Afrocentric Black is Beautiful movement of the 60s and 70s through the lens of Kwame Brathwaite, pioneering Harlem photographer and its unsung godfather. Kwame Brathwaite spent his life documenting black American history, photographing and befriending some of its biggest stars over his lifetime. He also founded grassroots fashion shows he called "Naturally" that celebrated natural black beauty and Afrocentrism in a time when it was deemed controversial, and heralded a new dawn for blackness across the globe. Forgotten by history until his son uncovered his vast archive of photos in the 2010s, the film covers the revival of Kwame's legacy in the last few years of his life. Family, friends and artistic admirers championed Kwame's work in a bid to put his name on the map before his passing in 2023. Kwame's story weaves together the story of the black experience, cultural icons and activism, taking a Forrest Gump journey through the biggest names and moments in American culture. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2025 - Official Competition - World premiere Official Selection DOC NYC 2025

Synopsis

Delving into the life of a Palestinian in the UK, separated from a culture and a way of life, this film captures the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity, delivering a powerful statement about the intersection of personal struggle and political conflict and offering hope, challenging narratives, and inspiring solidarity. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2025

Synopsis

Forensic science is scrutinised when a fictional investigator questions procedures and motivations in the politicised 1999 bombings of flats in Russia. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2025

Synopsis

Locked and loaded with film tape, a man explores an abandoned rave house, once known as The Warehouse, that was once the beating heart of the South West’s clubland.

Synopsis

In 1981, thousands of women gathered at Greenham Common to protest against nuclear weapons. Their bold, nonviolent resistance became a powerful symbol of feminist and anti-nuclear activism - a story of courage that still resonates today! Fast forward to now, and 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 tells this story through the eyes of a new generation of young activists as they retrace the footsteps of the original protesters. Unaware of the longest female-led campaign in British history, a new generation of young female activists is standing up to fight for the issues of their time, as well as being teenagers and finding their place in a turbulent world. Meet three fearless young women, Poppy (16), Xanthe (17), and Evie (19) who embark on a 110-mile 40th anniversary march to retrace the footsteps of Greenham Common's pioneering female protesters. Through powerful intergenerational exchanges with their activist counterparts, the film reveals a journey of self-discovery and a timely narrative of feminist activism. As nuclear tensions rise globally, their story becomes urgently relevant for today. A coming-of-age documentary that sparks conversations about hope, action and change.

Synopsis

On the anniversary of his father's death, a boy navigates a journey through grief within the family's crumbling manor house, with visions and dreams ushering a past generation into his present day. A piece of pure gothic magic realism.

Synopsis

In the divided town of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, a once renowned National Monument and cemetery honouring young WWII partisan fighters is being destroyed by neo-fascist forces. While most of the town dismiss it as a relic of communism and an enemy monument, a small group of determined relatives embark on a poignant quest to preserve their loved ones’ memories amid the ruins. Official Selection Sarajevo Film Festival 2025

Synopsis

An epic fable inspired by the life of Ann Lee, the founder of the Shakers, a radical religious movement that began in the late 1700s. Mona Fastvold's film depicts Ann Lee's establishment of a utopian society and the Shakers' worship through song and dance. Official Selection Venice Film Festival 2025 - World premiere Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2025 Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2025 - Official Competition Official Selection International Film Festival Rotterdam 2026 Official Selection Berlin International Film Festival 2026