Your Fat Friend and The Castle
1001 Days
(Country: UK, South Africa; Year: 2023; Director: Kethiwe Ngcobo, Chloe White)
Immersive account of the first 1001 days of a child’s life is seen from the perspective of three South African healthcare workers.
International premiere
The Castle (El Castillo)
(Country: Argentina, France; Year: 2023; Director: Martín Benchimol; Stars: Justina Olivo, Alexia Caminos Olivo)
The inheritance from her former boss is a poisoned chalice for Indigenous housekeeper Justina: a huge, derelict mansion in the back of beyond. Justina’s daughter Alexia would much prefer to return to Buenos Aires and work as a car mechanic. A dark fairy tale.
UK premiere
Choose Me
(Country: Chad; Year: 2023; Director: Allamine Kader Kora)
A marriage proposal ceremony becomes the centre of an intergenerational debate about tradition and the freedom to choose.
European premiere
Hummingbirds
(Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Silvia Del Carmen Castaños, Estefanía Contreras, Miguel Drake-McLaughlin; Stars: Silvia Del Carmen Castaños, Estefanía Contreras)
Two filmmakers find healing in their everyday joyful antics on the streets of Laredo, Texas.
UK premiere
Much Ado About Dying
(Country: UK, Ireland; Year: 2022; Director: Simon Chambers)
Looking after his gay actor uncle, filmmaker Simon is engulfed in a whirl of Shakespeare and clutter, as uncle David lends his credit card to neighbours, greets visitors in the nude and teaches Simon a profound lesson on dying happy
UK premiere
Otto Baxter: Not A F***ing Horror Story
(Country: UK; Year: 2023; Director: Peter Beard, Bruce Fletcher, Otto Baxter)
Documentary follows a 35-year-old man with Down Syndrome, over six years, as he writes and directs a foul-mouthed, autobiographical comedy-horror-musical.
World premiere
Phantom Parrot
(Country: UK, US; Year: 2023; Director: Kate Stonehill)
Documentary exploring a covert form of surveillance involving collaboration between the tech industry, police and security services.
UK premiere
Red Herring
(Country: UK; Year: 2023; Director: Kit Vincent)
Diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour, the director enlists his family for an intimate and darkly humorous journey to help them come to terms with his illness.
UK premiere
Your Fat Friend
(Country: US, UK; Year: 2023; Director: Jeanie Finlay; Stars: Aubrey Gordon)
Popular anonymous blogger Aubrey Gordon spent five years writing about the realities of living as a self-described “very fat person.” Now, she is about to face the public for the very first time.
International premiere
