The Undermine

The Undermine is a personal, creative documentary exploring the legacy of trauma and neurodiversity in the filmmaker’s own family.

Director: Alice Nelson

Producer: Lili Sandelin

Screen Scotland support: The film accessed £10,000 through Screen Scotland’s Film Development and Production Fund


Synopsis

The Undermine is a personal, creative documentary exploring the legacy of trauma and neurodiversity in the filmmaker’s own family. A deep-dive into the past reveals repeated patterns, choices amidst failing systems – real and metaphorical crashes that ripple through generations.

What is a mother to do when the neurotypical world sees her children as a problem that needs to be fixed? These stories are told with archive, conversation, documentary, live action reconstruction and small intricate paper dioramas.


More information 

Markets: Edinburgh Pitch

Festivals: The Undermine will be featured as part of the Docs-in-Progress Scotland Showcase at Cannes Film Festival 2026 on Friday 15 May 2026.

Image credits: Still courtesy of Scottish Documentary Institute