Projects in genres: Crime

Synopsis

Sami, a Syrian refugee in the UK, and Bryony, an aimless young librarian, embark on a highly personal quest to preserve a bell from a demolished Christian church. What begins as a civic protest quickly becomes a criminal case when they accidentally near fatally injure a security guard, and find themselves on the run from the police. However, our accidental heroes’ fate is sealed by a kindly police sergeant who is moved by their mission, and our odd-couple achieve their goal of saving the bell and reminding the town they both call home about the importance of remembering its own story.

Synopsis

In a rainy and nocturnal London, we follow Miles: a nighthawk, a loner and a voyeuristic photographer. Under the pseudonym 'Rain Catcher', he made a name for himself on social media for his stolen snapshots: morbid and unforgiving portraits of the city's troubled humanity. Soon Miles notices a mysterious woman appearing in his pictures. This shady stalker is following him everywhere, and soon begins sabotaging his life, catapulting him in a Dantesque journey. Every cornerstone of Miles' existence gradually starts to crumble: his online persona, his career, his own life. Aided by his magnetic, gung-ho neighbour Yumi, Miles will embark on a relentless investigation to crack the puzzle leading to his chaser's identity and motive, clue after clue, one snapshot after another, before his world collapses. Official Selection Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2026 - Proxima Competition - World premiere

Synopsis

Inmates under Home Detention Curfew are promised instant parole through a government early-release pilot, if they can prove they’re reformed in group therapy. Strangers trade confessions like currency, bartering trauma, charm, and twisted lies. Dumb crimes spark laughter, serious crimes suck the air out of the room. Empathy and morality are mandatory, but the system isn’t testing remorse - it’s testing performance. In a surreal stage of confessions and manipulation, honesty is demanded, yet the real question lingers: who among this motley crew can convincingly fake redemption? A darkly comic, sharply observed tale where freedom hinges on the art of deception.

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A grieving father reunites with friends on a thrilling mystery adventure in the UK's wild west. But as a sinister plot unfolds, their perfect reunion quickly descends into a terrifying trip into the unknown.

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A robbery spirals out of control. A bank heist thriller exploring tension, trust, and consequences.

Synopsis

An elevated drama-thriller that blends gripping crime storytelling with intense, high-stakes action - all confined within the claustrophobic walls of a single prison cell. Just days before his long-awaited release, Joe - a volatile inmate - receives a chilling phone call: his ex-wife and son have been taken, and their fate depends on his immediate compliance. Caught in a tense psychological battle, Joe must confront not only the shadowy criminals orchestrating events outside but also the hardened prison officers inside. With time running out, a mobile phone as his only tool, and escalating tension with his new cellmate - a man of a different racial background - Joe is thrust into a desperate race against the clock to save his family and himself. The film balances razor-sharp suspense with heart-pounding action sequences while exploring profound themes of guilt, redemption, power, race, trust, survival, and the complexities of the father-son relationship. Official Selection FrightFest Glasgow 2026 - World premiere

Synopsis

On a quest to prove his competency, an inept sound recordist finds himself entangled in a nautical prophecy on the spectral island of Pincer Point. Official Selection SXSW Film Festival 2026

Synopsis

Twenty-two-year-old Shannon is the daughter of the dominant crime family in the area. Standing in the shadow of her father Dylan, she is desperately searching for romance and falls head over heels for Arran, a member of a rival crime family which has recently arrived in town. They develop a deep bond that changes both their lives for good, but not everyone around them is willing to accept it. While Shannon and Arran are pursuing their forbidden love, elsewhere things are imploding for Shannon’s family. However, rather than focusing on the crime world or the politics of succession, our gaze is directed towards the distinct emotional worlds of Shannon’s family – her parents Dylan and Cat, her older brother Luke and her indomitable grandma Ollie. Official Selection Berlin International Film Festival 2026 - Berlinale Special Series - World premiere

Synopsis

Set in a remote village in France, this is the story of a timid new vicar. Determined to be a hero in the eyes of the village, he becomes an accidental mass murderer which, in turn, cures him of his stammer.

Synopsis

When a man receives a mysterious letter from his lost love, he is drawn to Silent Hill, a once familiar town now consumed by darkness. Official Selection International Film Festival Rotterdam 2026

Synopsis

A multi-layered crime drama set in contemporary Europe and beyond, inspired by real events and personal experiences. The film follows interconnected characters whose lives are shaped by loyalty, moral dilemmas, and the consequences of their choices. The story spans five countries - Poland, Japan (in the heart of Tokyo), Myanmar, Ukraine, and the UK (London). It draws on true experiences: the main character spent three years in a martial arts monastery in Japan during his twenties, and a war reporter who was kidnapped during the conflict in Ukraine, prompting a tense rescue mission. These events form the backbone of a story the characters never meant to tell. Through parallel storylines, BASTION explores the complex web of relationships, conflicting interests, and personal responsibilities that define human behavior. Grounded in realism and driven by authentic characters, the film delivers an intense, emotionally resonant narrative where every decision carries weight. This drama presents a gripping, uncompromising portrayal of courage, loyalty, and moral choice, revealing the story they never meant to tell and offering a rare glimpse into human experience across continents under extreme circumstances.

Synopsis

Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, CRIME 101 weaves the tale of an elusive jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose string of heists along the 101 freeway have mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime, his path crosses that of a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads. Convinced he has found a pattern, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) is closing in, raising the stakes even higher. As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realisation that there can be no turning back. Adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella of the same name, the film is written and directed by Bart Layton (American Animals, The Imposter). Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte round out the cast.