Record-breaking year for Scottish films at Sundance

Five films backed by Screen Scotland have been selected for Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah in January 2026. These are: 

  • Opening Night film of the Next category: Edinburgh-based Louis Paxton’s The Incomer co-produced by Wendy Griffin alongside Shirley O’Connor and Gotto.  

  • In World Cinema Dramatic Competition: Olive Nwosu’s Lady produced by Glasgow-based Alex Polunin. 

  • World Documentary Competition: Felipe Bustos Sierra’s Everybody to Kenmure Street produced by Ciara Barry and Birds of War, produced by Sonja Henrici.  

  • In the special screenings strand, Mark Cousin’s The Story of Documentary produced by John Archer.  

Two further titles in selection are also produced or co-produced by Scotland-based producing talent, Filipiñana produced by Alex Polunin and Extra Geography co-produced by Wendy Griffin. 

Isabel Davis, Executive Director of Screen Scotland said: “Every one of these titles is entertaining, urgent and creatively uncompromising. It’s deeply rewarding to see Scotland’s creative achievements reflected in Sundance’s programme. Supporting original storytelling — from early development through to established careers — is a core part of Screen Scotland’s strategy. This selection showcases not only the vision of our filmmakers, but the breadth of talent and commitment across Scotland’s screen sector. Congratulations to all the teams heading to Park City — we look forward to what comes next.” 

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “I am really pleased to see these films be selected for the Sundance Film Festival, showcasing the incredible breadth of creativity in Scotland. The Scottish Government is committed to building on the exceptional growth of Scotland’s screen sector. The funding, facilities, talent, crew, and specialist support available in Scotland mean that an ever-increasing number of, hugely exciting and ambitious domestically originated projects, such as these, are able to take shape and succeed on the global stage.” 

Crowd gathered around an Immigration Enforcement van, with many people standing and sitting on the street, some holding signs. A large Palestinian flag is visible. Police officers in high-visibility jackets form a line near the van. The setting appears to be urban, with a building in the background.

Everybody to Kenmure Street 

Directed by Glasgow-based director Felipe Bustos Sierra and produced by Ciara Barry of Glasgow-based production company barry crerar.  

In May 2021, a U.K. Home Office dawn raid triggers one of the most spontaneous and successful acts of civil resistance in recent memory. In Scotland’s most diverse neighbourhood, hundreds of residents rush to the streets to stop the deportation of their neighbours. 

Everybody To Kenmure Street will premiere at Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Documentary Competition.

Everybody to Kenmure Street Producer Ciara Barry said: “ETKS is a hopeful film that celebrates the power of community. In an increasingly divided world where many feel disenfranchised, it allows us to believe in our collective agency to enact change. This film is deeply personal to us, as residents of the Glasgow community where the film is set, and participants of the protest on the day, we are excited to share this film with international audiences and are proud to celebrate its message.” 

Two people sitting on the ground at night, smiling at the camera. A small piece of cake with a toothpick flag decoration is placed on the ground between them. The lighting is dim and warm, casting shadows.

Birds of War 

The love story of London-based Lebanese journalist and Syrian activist/cameraman as told through thirteen years of personal archives across revolutions, war and exile. The film is produced by Edinburgh-based producer Sonja Henrici and directed & produced by Janay Boulos and Abd Alkader Habak.   

Birds of War will have its world premiere in the World Cinema Documentary Competition.

Producer Sonja Henrici said: “I'm so grateful for the trust Screen Scotland placed in us to develop this timely film about love and belonging in times of revolution and exile. How can we be together despite our differences? I can't wait to share this film with audiences in 2026.” 

A shirtless young man wearing a garland of flowers reclines on a blue bench, gazing softly at a woman resting her head on his arm. The woman looks outward with a serene expression. The scene is bathed in a soft, cool light, creating a tranquil, intimate atmosphere.

The Story of Documentary 

An innovative exploration of the documentary form from the dawn of cinema to the present day, encompassing stories from across the globe. Boldly feminist, jargon-free and international in scope, the film offers a vivid portrait of our lives, societies, wars, families, journeys, creativity, relationships and struggles – as well as the things we make and the planet itself – told in a fresh and compelling way.  

The film is directed by Mark Cousins and produced by John Archer of Hopscotch Films.  

The Story of Documentary producer John Archer said: “This is the third cinema epic that Hopscotch Films have made with the amazing Mark Cousins, following The Story of Film and Women Make Film. We’re delighted that it begins its global rollout in Sundance, 100 years since John Grierson coined the word documentary.” 

A person with long hair and a beaded bracelet rests their head on their hand while sitting in the driver's seat of a red car. The interior is dimly lit, and a group of people is visible in the background, with a woman in a pink off-the-shoulder top looking out the window.

Lady  

In the sprawling African metropolis of Lagos, a fiercely independent young cab driver meets a band of radiantly reckless sex workers whose sisterhood pulls her into danger and joy, setting her on a journey toward her own transformation. 

Lady is written and directed by Olive Nwosu and was developed and produced by Ossian International, producer Alex Polunin's company based in Glasgow, and will have its world premiere as part of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.

Producer Alex Polunin said: "We have been hugely grateful for the support we have received from Screen Scotland and our other key financiers over the last few years on both our Sundance premieres Lady and Filipiñana, as well as our other titles set in Scotland and outwith, in trying to realise our strategic vision of building an internationally competitive production company outside of London - headquartered in Scotland. It is a very promising time for Scottish cinema and we are delighted to be playing our part in contributing to the growth of a local industry that has been so supportive and which is full of people who have been such a joy to work with." 

A man in a red jacket and tie stands on a weathered pier by the sea, framed by the blurred figures of two people in patterned sweaters. The sky is overcast, adding a moody atmosphere to the scene.

The Incomer 

The film is set on a remote Scottish island, where two siblings survive by hunting seabirds, retelling the stories of their ancestors, and defending the isle from dreaded ‘Incomers’. Their world is upended with the arrival of an awkward council worker who has come to uproot them from their homeland. 

Filmed on location in Caithness, The Incomer was directed by Edinburgh-based director Louis Paxton and co-produced by Edinburgh-based producer Wendy Griffin alongside Shirley O’Connor and Emily Gotto.  

The film will have its world premiere as part of the NEXT programme.

Director Louis Paxton said: "The Incomer has been a joy to bring to life alongside an immensely talented team. Developing my debut feature with the support of Screen Scotland has been a pleasure from start to finish. I’m so proud to have made a Scottish comedy, steeped in our history and humour, crafted for a universal audience. I am thrilled to share it with US audiences at Sundance Film Festival 2026." 

Producers Emily Gotto and Shirley O'Connor said: "We’re honoured to be selected at Sundance and to celebrate Louis as a breakout voice. Working with Scottish talent in front of and behind the camera, and on location in the Northern Highlands has been one of the greatest joys of our careers and the results are undeniable. We are so grateful to Screen Scotland for supporting this unique project and we’re so excited to share with a US audience." 

Filipiñana  

Directed by Rafael Manuel, Filipiñana is set in the self-contained cosmos of an elite golf course and country club in Manila and follows 'tee-girl' Isabel as she learns the rules and tests the boundaries of her new job. This philosophical tale drops audiences into an unknown world that is at once beguiling and haunting, but with undeniable reminders of rigid class hierarchies that slowly seep in. 

Filipiñana was developed and produced by Ossian International, producer Alex Polunin's company based in Glasgow, and will have its world premiere as part of the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.

Extra Geography  

Co-produced by Edinburgh-based producer Wendy Griffin. In an English girls boarding school, two teenage best friends grapple with the challenges of girlhood — friendship, boys, studies, and growing up — and embark on their school project, falling in love. 

The film will have its world premiere in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.

More information

Image credits

Header image: The Incomer, still credit Anthony Dickenson

Everybody to Kenmure Street still courtesy barry crerar 

Birds of War still courtesy of Sonja Henrici

Lady still courtesy of Hanway Films

THe Story of Documentary still courtesy of Hopscotch Films