The Earthquake Bird

Director: Wash Westmoreland

Year: 2018

Keira Knightley leads this timely film about the struggles of the avant-garde French novelist, Colette; a story that resonates in the era of female empowerment. Colette’s marriage to Henry ‘Willy’ Gauthier-Villars (Dominic West) thrusts her from a simple country life into the raucous creative demi-monde of Paris. Swiftly developing her talent as a writer, Colette’s first novels are published under Willy’s name. An author in his own right, Willy mentors Colette and later betrays her as her stories gain them fame and notoriety. Whip-smart, precocious and unapologetic, not only is Colette a talented author, actor and journalist, but also a trailblazer, fighting for the survival of her voice and identity in a male-dominated world, who shines a light for future generations of female artists. Official Selection Toronto International Film Festival 2018 - Special Presentations

Director: Robyn Egan

Year: 2026

Wren is interviewed for a job at Brixham Fish Market. Gary shows her around and tells her to come back tomorrow, for the night shift. A few hours into the shift and Wren is flagging, she enjoys a moment of calm whilst smoking outside - until she is confronted with Cali, who wants a lighter and a chat. The next few nights, sleepless days and awkward interactions blur into each other until Cali greets Wren with a coffee and cigarette for the usual 2am slump. Wren is disgusted when realising Cali has spiked her coffee with brandy. Steph shows Wren how to fillet. Cali rushes to help, standing behind Wren, he places his hands on hers.Wren shrinks down, motionless, allowing Cali to puppeteer her, forcing his groin into her from behind. Wren empties her locker, she’s not coming back. She leaves, only to find Cali waiting for her, unbuckling his belt. Wren waits until his trousers are down, walks over to him, without breaking eye contact and guts Cali like a fish. She makes use of the “Monster Industrial Chum Grinder”, to dismember Cali’s body, discarding the chum into the sea at sunrise. She gracefully enters the sea herself, cleansed.

Director: Martin Crasborn

Year: 2026

Set in rural England, Dusk follows Douglas, a young farmer whose beloved horse suffers a debilitating injury. When his father insists the decision to end her suffering must be rest on his shoulders alone, Douglas must confront the heavy weight of adulthood. Rifle in hand, he faces an agonising test of duty.