Eating Cake

Director: Stephen Ellis

Year: 2002

After not seeing each other for some time, three lifelong friends, John, Keith and Darren, gather for a long weekend away in a dilapidated camper van. They've grown apart in recent years. They pack and leave for the nearest coastal resort to Birmingham; Barmouth in Wales. Darren says goodbye to his partner, Mandy. John advises Keith to lay off Darren and his relationship with Mandy. Keith makes some comments and the relationship of John and ex-girlfriend Liz is revealed. John still seems affected by the mention of her name. Getting ready to go to a club that night, Keith has a slight 'turn' in a toilet cubicle and Darren reveals that he's going to sell the camper van. Keith reacts strongly to this, accusing Darren of being pressured by Mandy. Darren tells them the reason he's selling the van is because Mandy is pregnant. They go to the club to celebrate. At the club, they see Louise, the local girl. John is bullied into talking to her and leaves with her at the end of the night, arranging to meet the following day. While waiting for John to join them, Keith asks Darren if he still sees anything of John's ex, Liz. In the morning, Keith is violently sick. John goes to meet Louise and we see Mandy and her sister Kate, in a car getting lost somewhere in Wales. Liz is with them. They arrive at the campsite while John is sitting on the beach talking with Louise. Keith and Liz have a conversation, hinting at some kind of earlier tryst. The plot thickens. Cincinnati to Cymru tells the story of three friends and their having to come to terms with adult responsibilities.

Director: Kim Bartley

Year: 2026

A tender, uplifting story about first loves, second chances and the power of human connection. When teenager Danny makes a mistake that could derail his future, he unexpectedly reconnects with Josh, the social worker who once tried to help him but whose own mistakes drove them apart. When their paths cross again, Josh becomes both mentor and mirror, guiding Danny on his journey to manhood. Along the way Danny discovers that family is not always the one you are born into, but the one that believes in you when no one else will.

Director: Peter Glanz

Year: 2026

England, 18th Century. The Savages are at their lowest: they despise each other, their house is falling apart, and they are disliked in polite society - sleeping with their servants, and selling off jewellery to keep their gambling and drinking going. Oh, and Chauncey Savage’s foot might be rotting off. This is until they are set to be visited by higher ranking nobleman. The honour gives them a renewed energy to get new outfits, polish their silver, and hire new help to make sure the House of Savage is looking as impressive as possible. Official Selection SXSW London 2026