Call it the Kneecap effect. Rich Peppiatt’s raucous Irish-language comedy drama racked up an impressive $2.7m in UK and Irish ticket sales for Curzon and Wildcard when it was released in August 2024. Now UK independent film distributors are striking an unusually upbeat note about 2025.
After the turbulence of the post-pandemic period, many see new opportunities in the marketplace. “I am more optimistic than I have been in years,” says Clare Binns, managing director of UK arthouse exhibitor and distributor Picturehouse, whose upcoming releases include La Cocina and The Last Showgirl.
“We are feeling quite buoyant,” agrees Laura Wilson, Altitude Media Group’s head of development and acquisitions. Altitude’s upcoming releases include Oscar contender I’m Still Here and festival favourite Sister Midnight.
