Films

Actor-turned-filmmaker Harris Dickinson (Triangle of Sadness, Babygirl) makes his directorial debut with Urchin, a raw yet deeply compassionate and surprisingly buoyant portrait of life on society’s margins.

Mike (Frank Dillane), a man adrift on the streets of London, is caught between self-destruction and the fragile hope of redemption. With the support of social services, he begins a tentative journey toward stability, only to find that breaking free from old patterns is never simple.

Drawing on Dickinson’s years of volunteer work in outreach and addiction services, the film balances empathy and humor, blending British social-realist grit with flashes of absurdity. With rich visual texture and an accomplished performance from Dillane, Urchin is a heartfelt first feature that addresses a nationwide crisis through candid concentration on one man. 

“There’s an unexpected levity and moments of arresting beauty
to be found in this distinctive directorial debut”
-Wendy Ide, Screen International

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Closed Captions are available for this screening and assistive devices are available upon request.
The on stage presentations will include ASL interpretation.
For more information or to request an accommodation, visit VAFF Accessibility.