Project Detail

The Education of Jane Cumming

Synopsis

1810. Two governesses embark on their dream of opening a school for girls on the edge of Scotland’s capital, their chance of an independent life is threatened by the arrival of a new pupil, an orphan, and her aristocratic grandmother. As the pressures of class, race and deeply suppressed emotion build at Drumsheugh boarding school, a series of tragically avoidable events lead to the telling of one irreversible lie. At a time of great social conformity – accused of lesbianism – the resulting scandal leaves the teachers fighting for their livelihoods.
Based on the book 'Scotch Verdict: The Real-Life Story That Inspired 'The Children's Hour'' by Lillian Faderman.
Official Selection Berlin International Film Festival 2026 - Panorama - World premiere

Details

Year: 2026
Type of project: Features
Running time: 114 min
Director: Sophie Heldman
Producer: Bettina Brokemper, Karin Koch
Co-Producer: Nadira Murray
Executive Producer: Susan Simnett
Screenwriter: Sophie Heldman, Flora Nicholson
Director of Photography: Kate Reid
Principal cast: Flora Nicholson, Clare Dunne, Mia Tharia, Fiona Shaw, Stephen McCole
Film Title Note: FKA Miss Pirie and Miss Woods

Genre

Scottish Woman Director Drama

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

Supported by BFI UK Global Screen Fund

UK, Germany, Switzerland co-production

Sylph Productions (UK), Heimatfilm (DE), Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion AG (CH)

Sylph Productions

Nadira Murray

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Sales Company

Global Constellation

Lorenzo Bellassai