From Sidney, With Love (short)
UK 2025
18 minutes
Director: East Elliott

Shot on location in Blaenavon, this black and white short features nine-year-old Rilla, who lives with her older brother in an otherwise all-white town in North Yorkshire. Unpopular at school, she becomes convinced that she is the long-lost daughter of Hollywood legend Sidney Poitier and treasures news clippings of her idol. Frustrated by her brother’s impatience, she runs away to London to meet her father at a screening of his new film To Sir, With Love. A compassionate mix of gentle comedy and sharp-edged scrutiny of the need to belong.

Made with the support of the Spike Lee Film Production Fund
Winner of the Audience Award – Short at the 2026 Manchester Film Festival

Strongroom will be shown after this short film