The Old Oak is set in a once thriving mining village now in rapid decline. There’s a deep sense of injustice pervading the community which is exacerbated by the unexpected arrival of a number of Syrian refugee families. This becomes the flashpoint for angry xenophobic tensions and views which are vented openly in the local pub and directly to the refugees. It takes the empathy and friendship of the struggling pub landlord to inspire hope and the beginnings of change.

Following Donya’s evacuation from Afghanistan ,where she worked as a translator for the US army, she is living alone in the town of Fremont, California. Donya has a lonely existence in an apartment block with other evacuees and she works in a Chinese fortune cookie factory. When Donya is surprisingly promoted to writing the fortunes she takes the opportunity to change her life. This is a gentle story full of heart and off beat comedy.

A “coming of age film for grownups who still feel like they haven’t grown up”, Julie is a young woman struggling to navigate adult life – never quite seeing things through in her ever-changing professional life and especially her personal and love life. Winner of Cannes Best Actress, Renate Reinsve is outstanding as the troubled lead. Will she discover who she really is?