Friday 6 November
The Republic
(Dir. Quincy Andrews 2026, UK. 81m)
Introduction and Q&A with Chris Chalkley.
A story of Stokes Croft, and the ongoing struggle against gentrification.
In 1999, in his hometown of Bristol, Banksy painted one of his earliest pieces, 'The Mild, Mild West' on a wall in Stokes Croft. "The Republic " documents the story of Stokes Croft since, portraying a diverse community that dares to defy the cold winds of corporate power and globalisation. But their greatest challenge looms as developers target this quarter and ready their wrecking balls. Filmed over six years, with access to twenty years of personal archives, this compelling story of our times recounts the fight by locals to retain some control over their destiny in an increasingly monocultural world.
“I think this film shows that part of Bristol’s history as a very relatable case study for the whole of Europe.” (Melissa Chemam — Melissa on the Road)
Saturday 7 November
The Day Innocence Died.
Bloody Sunday and the Fight for Justice
(Dir. Hannan Majid and Richard York 2026, UK. 106m)
Derry, January 1972; As the civil rights movement across the North of Ireland begins to secure unprecedented wins, the British state responds with lethal force, murdering 14 of its citizens and sparking a 60 year fight for justice and accountability by a community for whom everything had changed.
From the acclaimed directors of ‘To Kill a War Machine’, and the community campaigners who took on the British state and won, ‘The Day Innocence Died’ tells the story of the Bloody Sunday massacre and its legacy, weaving unheard testimonies and rarely seen archive footage into an epic cinematic documentary.
“Bloody Sunday was a massacre of people who were marching for justice for their fellow citizens which was compounded by state lies, propaganda and cover up…” (Tony Doherty — Son of Patrick Doherty, murdered on Bloody Sunday).
Homebound
(Dir. Neeraj Ghaywan 2025, India. 120m)
The first film in our precarity double bill, funded by the British Academy- CNRS Knowledge Frontiers Symposium
Introduced by and with a Q&A afterwards with Dr. Mihika Chatterjee.
Based on a famous article published at the high of the pandemic in The New York Times, the film explores structural precarity were cast, religion, class and economic pressures define and limit the lives of the two protagonists. Through the story of two childhood friends from a small North Indian village, one an Indian Muslim and the other a “low caste” Hindu, chasing a job in the police that promises them the dignity they've long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, along with the months long wait for their results, their precarious situation define what these young men are allowed to imagine.
We follow their lives, and their gradual progress, along with the sudden and impact of Covid 19 on their plans. A vibrant, moving film so compelling that Martin Scorsese requested to help with its production.
“The precision, beauty and emotion in the film is built on strong writing … and superb performances.” (Anupama Chopra — The Hollywood Reporter).
Planet Israel
(Dir. Gillian Mosely 2025, UK. 97m)
After October 7th there was widespread, media led, sympathy following the Hamas attacks in Israel. Now, three years later much of this sympathy had gone as the world recoiled in horror at the brutality of the Israeli response to these attacks, while 73% of Israeli Jews are seemingly unperturbed. As a British-American Jew Mosely explored what has happened to make any Jew, a people who have experienced oppression, othering, and genocide, exhibit such moral and humanitarian numbness. More widely, how does the moral disengagement that allows atrocities the world over, happen? In this detailed film she interviews people across numerous areas of expertise including mental health, politics, the mediascape, and religion. The reality turns out to be so much darker as the mechanisms behind our disintegrating democracies and international laws are exposed.
“Planet Israel could well prove to be the best documentary released in 2026.” (Film Review Daily).
Two Days, One Night
(Dir. Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne 2014, Belgium/France. 95m)
The second film in our precarity double bill, funded by the British Academy- CNRS Knowledge Frontiers Symposium
Introduced by and with a Q&A afterwards with Dr. Mihika Chatterjee.
Neoliberalism has normalised precarity and eroded workers solidarity. The Dardenne brothers’ concern is to explore how does precarity feels like.
Sandra has lost her job. Her colleagues have been given a choice: accept a bonus, or sacrifice it to save her position. They choose the bonus.
With just one weekend to change their minds, Sandra sets out with her husband Manu to visit each of her former colleagues, asking them to reconsider their decision. Each encounter presents a new obstacle. Some understand her situation. Others cannot afford to surrender the money. Some feel guilty. Others believe the decision was justified. As Monday approaches, Sandra's personal struggle becomes an increasingly powerful question about the price of solidarity.
“Thousands of films are made around the world each year, but few of them truly take hold of important realities of our moment and reveal them to us in ways that resonate both universally and viscerally” (Girish Shambu).
Sunday 8 November
Everybody to Kenmure Street
(Dir. Felipe Bustos Sierra 2026, UK. 95m)
Anti-establishment struggles and activism run in the veins of Glasgow inhabitants. So, when In May 2021, a UK Home Office raid is launched at dawn on the first day of the Muslim festival Eid, it triggers one of the most spontaneous acts of civil resistance in recent memory. In Scotland’s most diverse neighbourhood, hundreds of residents rush to Kenmure Street to stop the deportation of their neighbours. A spirited and uplifting documentary, ‘Everybody to Kenmure Street’ triumphantly captures a community's witty, determined stand against injustice through the power of collective action. From the makers of 2023 BRFF festival hit Nae Pasaran.
“This is a film that will have you punching the air.” (The Herald).
BRFF 2026.
International Short Film Showcase
(Various, 115m)
Full details of the shorts selected coming soon.
Once again, we are presenting a selection of short films from around the world. From precarity and workers struggles from Spain or gender identity in Iran to a humorous take on over-reliance on AI and a music video both coming from the UK. Fiction, documentary and animation are presented in our selection.
The Infiltrators
(Cristina Ibarra and Alex Rivera 2019, USA. 95m).
Now that Trump’s anti-immigration policies and the activities of ICE are being denounced all over the world, we bring to you The Infiltrators.
The film is a docu-thriller that tells the true story of young immigrants who purposely get themselves detained crossing the Mexico-US border and thrown into a shadowy for-profit detention center. On purpose. Marco and Viri are activists of the National Immigrant Youth Alliance, who are on a mission to stop unjust deportations. However, when Marco and Viri attempt their daring ‘prison break-in,’ things don’t go according to plan. By weaving together documentary footage of the real infiltrators with re-enactments of the events inside the detention centre, this work tells an incredible and thrilling true story of resistance.
“I’ve seen no braver Americans depicted on screen.” (The Guardian).