The History of the Smokie

Director: Callum McCulloch-Nowlan

Year: 2026

Rob Beaton has been weaving tartan and tweed in the Scottish Borders since he was 14. Now 84, he is Scotland's oldest and longest-serving mill worker, operating 100-year-old traditional shuttle looms. With no apprentice to carry on his craft, the mill where he has worked for over four decades may soon be forced to close. But elsewhere in Scotland, a different story is unfolding. At another mill in Highland Perthshire, a young apprentice is learning the trade, and the ancient rhythms of the looms are being passed to a new generation. Once, Scotland's textile industry employed nearly 75% of the population. Today, that figure stands at just 0.2%. Against the backdrop of that decline, the stories of these two mills paint a portrait of an industry at a crossroads. Through his film, Callum McCulloch-Nowlan celebrates the workers, machines, and spaces of Scotland's weaving tradition, while exploring the urgency of preserving a disappearing craft.

Director: Michael Oswald

Year: 2027

Imperial Illusions explores how Britain crafted a myth of benevolent empire to justify domination and exploitation, and how, as the empire collapsed, that myth was replaced with a heroic narrative of victory over fascism. The film investigates what happens when a nation buries the violence of its past, and how that denial continues to shape political, social, and cultural realities today. Through the histories of Kenya, India, and Northern Ireland, the documentary uncovers the lasting impact of suppressed memory and asks what it means for both Britain and its former colonies to confront the truths long left in the shadows.

Director: Martin Tracey, D.G. Torrens

Year: 2024

Birmingham: A City Rooted in Talent is a compelling and groundbreaking documentary series that shines a spotlight on the city’s unparalleled creative and cultural heritage. Blending rare archival footage, exclusive interviews, and never-before-heard stories, the series features the trailblazers, musicians, broadcasters, athletes, and cultural pioneers, who shaped Birmingham’s sound and soul, propelling it onto the world stage alongside the likes of Black Sabbath, Duran Duran, and many more. Driven by the city’s own talent, this is a landmark celebration of Birmingham’s enduring influence.