The Arborist

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

Director: Benjamin Turner

Year: 2027

A group of teenage boys become entangled in a series of escalating "games" built around a single rule: don’t flinch. What begins as playful competition gradually shifts into something more controlled, more psychological, and more dangerous. As the boundaries blur, each boy is forced to navigate power, performance, and the pressure to appear unbreakable. FAIR explores how identity is shaped under pressure, and what it takes to hold your ground in a world where showing weakness isn’t an option.