On Monday, 24th February 2025, film enthusiasts gathered at Riverside Studios for a special screening of the 2025 Oscar-nominated short films, offering an exclusive look at this year’s most celebrated short-form storytelling. This annual showcase provides Londoners with a rare opportunity to experience these films before the Academy Awards on March 2nd.

The screening attracted a lively and engaged audience, including film lovers, cinephiles, and industry professionals, all eager to witness this diverse collection of cinematic excellence. The evening featured five remarkable films:

• The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent (Nebojša Slijepčević, Croatia)
• Anuja (Adam J. Graves, India)
• I’m Not a Robot (Victoria Warmerdam, Belgium, Netherlands)
• A Lien (Cutler-Kreutz brothers, USA)
• The Last Ranger (Nicky Newman, South Africa)

Throughout the night, the audience was taken on an emotional rollercoaster—from the laughter sparked by I’m Not a Robot to the poignant, tear-jerking moments in The Last Ranger. Each film tackled pressing global issues, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.

As the screening concluded, attendees voted for their favourite film of the evening. The top three picks were:

1. The Last Ranger
2. A Lien
3. I’m Not a Robot

The Oscar award winner, however, was ‘I’m Not a Robot’!

Beyond celebrating international filmmaking talent, the event sparked thoughtful discussions about identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling. The evening highlighted how short films can make a lasting impact, proving that great cinema is not defined by runtime but by the emotions it evokes.

Last Saturday we prepared the Riverside Studios cinema foyer with twinkling lights, soundtrack music and a costume and prop display, all from the film, to welcome the audience in for a preview screening of JUST ONE LAST THING. 

This supernatural comedy drama debut feature from writer/director, Alexandra Gillespie, gained an honourable mention at London Breeze Film Festival back in October, and we were delighted to be able to host this special screening, which included a q&a with Alexandra, co-leads Becky Banner and Georgiana Gillespie and DoP Giulio Armendolagine. 

Audience members all received a goody bag of treats to enjoy with the film and an opportunity to consider what they might choose if they could only do just one last thing. 

Read our blog post about films set in halfway houses or liminal spaces between life and whatever lies beyond: Unfinished Business by Emily Bolton

On Wednesday, February 19, Bertha DocHouse screened Silent House (2022), a gripping and emotional documentary that moved its audience. The film explores unseen histories through deeply personal stories of one Iranian family in Tehran and the 100 year old palatial house they lived in for three decades. The film drew viewers into the complex family relationships and lives of the family, especially of the women: their resilience and courage in the face of revolution, adversity and injustices. 

The filmmakers, siblings Farnaz and Mohammadreza Jurabchian, use their personal family history as the raw material of the film and an incredible collection of home movies and archive material that enrich the work. 

After the screening, a panel discussion with three experts sparked a thoughtful conversation. We were delighted to welcome curator and programmer with London Short Film Festival and Electric Blue Cinema, Lucy Peters; academic and lead on the Make Film History project, Dr Shane O’Sullivan from Kingston University; and Jon Davies, home movie archivist with The Cinema Museum.  They spoke about the challenges, creativity and uses of archive film and the importance of preserving it. You can watch the panel discussion using the link below.

London Breeze Film Festival & Bertha DocHouse present: Silent House – Q&A

On Sunday, 9th March, film lovers gathered at Riverside Studios for a special screening of On Falling, followed by an insightful Q&A with director Laura Carreira. The screening provided a thought-provoking look at the emotional and physical toll of work, focusing on the challenges individuals face in demanding, dehumanising jobs.

Carreira, known for her exploration of labour in previous films, discussed how her past experiences shaped this project, particularly her conversations with warehouse pickers. These interactions gave her a deeper understanding of the realities of physically and psychologically demanding work, which became central to the film’s narrative.

The event sparked meaningful discussions on the themes of identity, isolation, and resilience. Attendees were captivated by Carreira’s approach to realism, balancing authenticity with emotional depth.

As a special treat, Café de Nata generously sponsored the event by providing pastel de nata for every audience member, adding a delicious touch to the evening. The screening left a lasting impression on all who attended, reminding everyone of the power of film to highlight critical social issues.

London Breeze is excited to be supporting the opening weekend of On Falling as it releases into cinemas across the UK. Writer and director of the film, Laura Carriera, will join us for a Q&A after the screening.

On Falling tells the story of Aurora (Joana Santos), a Portuguese migrant working as a warehouse picker in Edinburgh. Trapped between the confines of a vast distribution centre and the solitude of her own bedroom, Aurora seeks out every opportunity to resist the loneliness and alienation that threaten her sense of self.

BAFTA Longlisted for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer and winner of the BFI London Film Festival Sutherland Award 2024 for the most original and imaginative directorial debut, Laura Carreira’s On Falling is co-produced by Ken Loach’s Sixteen Film production company.

“this is a very impressive debut”– ★★★★ The Guardian

“a clarion call for a new generation of social-realist cinema”– Variety (Guy Lodge)

“Laura Carreira, working with Ken Loach’s Sixteen Films, proves herself an empathetic inheritor of his mantle with an enveloping portrait of loneliness which doesn’t ask for pity or outrage.”– Screen International

“A Haunting Study Of Modern Serfdom”– Deadline 

“Each scene is a miniature marvel”– IndieWire

“Captivatingly crafted with powerful anti-capitalist sentiments, and a belter of a lead performance to boot, it’s a film that hypnotises and enrages simultaneously, keeping us absorbed with its empathy for the heroine.”– ★★★★ In Their Own League

Run Time: 104 mins

Cinephiles at Riverside Studios were in for a treat—both cinematic and literal—at the exclusive preview screening of The End, the fiction debut of Oscar-nominated director Joshua Oppenheimer (The Act of Killing, The Look of Silence). Known for his provocative storytelling, Oppenheimer delivers a bold and unsettling vision, brought to life through striking cinematography and meticulous production design. The End presents a hauntingly imagined future, blending dystopian themes with an operatic grandeur that challenges audiences both visually and emotionally.

To set the tone for the evening, each guest received a special ‘survival kit,’ thematically curated to reflect the film’s unique setting—a salt mine. Inside, ticket holders found salt taffies, a The End postcard, and delicious salted chocolate bars generously provided by our event sponsor, Ombar. This immersive touch made for an unforgettable experience before the film even began.

Following the screening, George MacKay took part in an engaging Q&A, offering insight into his role as Son. Best known for his powerful performances in 1917, Captain Fantastic, and True History of the Kelly Gang, MacKay spoke about the rigorous preparation process, including in-depth sessions with Oppenheimer to fully embody the character’s complex journey.

Critics have already begun praising the film, with Eddie Harrison (The List) calling The End “audacious in the extreme… a film whose thematic depth is well worth the discomfiting journey.”

For those who missed this special event, The End is a must-watch when it hits cinemas—an experience as rich and intense as the world it builds.

London Breeze is delighted and excited to be hosting one of the most anticipated films of the year at the Riverside Studios as part of our ‘Summer Breeze’ programme of screening events and ahead of its general release. Be one of the first to see this explosive comedy drama for yourself and meet some of the creative team involved.

Of the 80,000 native Irish speakers, 6,000 live in the North of Ireland and three of them became a rap group called Kneecap. This is the real life story of how this anarchic Belfast trio became the unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save and reinvigorate their mother tongue.

Rich Peppiatt’s award-winning raucous and infectious debut feature is a heightened tale of Irish language hip-hop group Kneecap’s origin story. It won the Audience Award at Sundance US and opened Sundance London with four sold out screenings. 

Producer and previous Head of Irish Film London, Gerry Maguire, will host the Q&A with guests, KNEECAP producer, Jack Tarling and members of the cast. 

You will also have the opportunity to learn or practise some Irish as our friends from Irish language organisation, Conradh na Gaeilge, will be in the foyer an hour before the screening with a pop-up Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area). 

RUN TIME: 105 mins

RATED: 15

DIRECTOR: Rich Peppiatt

CAST: Liam Óg ‘Mo Chara’ Ó hAnnaidh, , Naoise ‘Móglaí Bap’ Ó Cairealláin, JJ ‘DJ Provai’ Ó Dochartaigh, Michael Fassbender, Josie Walker, Simone Kirby

OH, WHAT A NIGHT!

Here’s a report and photos from Wednesday night’s packed special preview of BALTIMORE. We also have a sizzling sizzle reel for you to enjoy to get a flavour of Wednesday’s exciting preview event.

What a great evening we had last night at Riverside Studios for the preview screening of BALTIMORE. An enthusiastic and excited audience gathered in the downstairs cinema foyer for this preview event and to meet our special guests, the film’s directors, Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor, and one of its stars, actor Dermot Crowley.

BALTIMORE is a thrilling 98 minutes of tightly constructed drama based around the true story of English heiress turned revolutionary, Rose Dugdale (played with great intensity by Imogen Poots). In 1974, along with three armed accomplices, Dugdale leads her renegade IRA gang on the biggest art theft in the world at that time from Russborough House, Co Wicklow. The film jump-cuts between the violent heist, the gang’s hideout, and Rose’s trajectory from reluctantly blooded fox hunter, through feminist radicalisation at Oxford, and into armed struggle against the backdrop of Bloody Sunday. This is not a biopic; rather an edge-of-your seat period drama with moments of well-placed humour, that explores questions of class, privilege, radicalisation, armed struggle and what it takes for a woman to determine her own fate for good or bad. It feels fresh, relevant and is totally gripping.

Coming direct from their Irish premiere last Friday at Dublin International Film Festival, the directors and co-star of BALTIMORE were welcomed by to the stage for a lively Q&A following the film. The directors, who also write and edit their films, gave a rapt audience insights into their creative process and collaborations with composer, Stephen McKeon (Black Mirror/KIN) and cinematographer, Tom Comerford (Aisha, Rose Plays Julie), whose aural and visual work on BALTIMORE are stunning. Dermot Crowley spoke of this being his first time directed by two people and how the pair work seamlessly to craft shots and scenes. How it was the writing that attracted him to the project as the character of ‘Donal’, an overly friendly local who draws unwitting and dangerous attention to himself from the increasingly paranoid ‘Rose’. Crowley spoke of the meticulous production and costume designs that helped him step straight into this mid-seventies world and character, enabling him to ‘be’ rather than ‘act’ in the role.

LBFF curator Madeleine Casey said, “This was a thrilling night at the cinema. Not only to see such a breathtaking film from these great independent filmmakers, but to hear them and the wonderful Dermot Crowley speak so generously about their process; and to feel and hear the audience enjoy this engaging collective experience so much. Cinema is alive and kicking for sure, and long may that last.”

BALTIMORE releases in UK cinemas on 22nd March. Molloy and Lawlor also directed episodes 2&3 of the second series of Irish crime drama, KIN, which is currently available on BBC iPlayer.

London Breeze Film Festival held its first event since its launch in October at the beautiful Riverside Studios in Hammersmith on Wednesday evening.

The sold out ‘Shooting the Breeze’ screening was a showcase of five fantastic films made by exciting new UK voices. All the films recently screened at the 67th BFI London Film Festival including the winner of the Short Film Award, ‘The Archive: Queer Nigerians’ by Simisola Akande.

We were delighted to welcome some of the filmmakers to the Riverside Studios to join in a Q&A with event curator Madeleine Casey. Joining Madeleine on stage alongside Simisola were ‘Ratthum/Blood’ director Vathana Suganya-Suppiah with producer Daljinder Johal, and ‘Essex Girls’ director Yero Timi-Biu, who recently directed two episodes of Lenny Henry’s ‘Three Little Birds’ drama, currently to be seen on ITVX.

Our special guests told a rapt audience about their journeys into the film industry, how they came to make these remarkable films, as well as giving their best tips for getting your work noticed. They spoke eloquently and generously of the importance of team work and mentorship; saying yes to challenging projects; taking risks and digging deep, especially when those funding and filming deadlines are looming.

With director Joe Weiland’s ‘Gorka’ and director Sean Lyons’ ’Smoking Dolphins’ completing the programme, this really was an inspiring evening of film and fascinating discussion. The buzz in the foyer afterwards was electric.

London Breeze is supporting this year’s Refugee Week and its theme of ‘Our Home’ with a screening of DRIFT by Singaporean director, Anthony Chen (ILO ILO/Wet Season). DRIFT is his first English-language film.

Join us at our brand new partner venue, the gorgeous The Garden Cinema, for this event cinema screening. There will be treats in store as we celebrate the resilience and contribution of refugees.

A Q&A will follow the screening with special guest, screenwriter Susanne Farrell (Hope Street/Dirty God) who will talk to us about the process of adapting A Marker to Measure Drift by Alexander Maksik for the screen.

Jacqueline (Cynthia Erivo), a young refugee, lands alone and penniless on a Greek island, where she tries first to survive and then to cope with her past. While gathering her strength, she begins a friendship with a rootless tour-guide (Alia Shawkat) and together they find the resilience to forge ahead. DRIFT also features Honor Swinton Byrne (The Souvenir I, The Souvenir II)

London born, Cynthia Erivo is a multi-awardwinning actor and singer of film, TV and musical theatre, not least for her lead role in HARRIET, the story of abolitionist and social activist, Harriet Tubman. Her role as Celie in The Color Purple in the West End, on Broadway and in the TV miniseries, garnered her Drama Critics Award, Tony and Grammy, amongst others. She is an outstanding actor of this generation. Don’t miss her stellar performance in DRIFT on the big screen.

Here’s what the critics have to say:

“A mesmerizing showcase for Cynthia Erivo’s talents”  New York Times

“Cynthia Erivo’s performance remains unwaveringly riveting” The Wrap

“Miraculous… Cynthia Erivo Is the Reason You Need to See ‘Drift’ – a compelling exercise in empathy” ★★★★  ” Rolling Stone

“An assured and compassionate portrait”  ★★★★ Time Out

“Captivating” ★★★★ Empire      ★★★★ The Times