A nature reserve on the English Channel is a place of wonder and solace, shaped and haunted by violence. A sensitive look at life on a pebble beach reclaimed from the ocean, HEADLAND interweaves the age-old tradition of sea rescues with contemporary Channel crossings, as witnessed by the last of the Dungeness fishermen.
***
"HEADLAND weaves a contemplative and visually striking meditation on migration, belonging, and the legacy of the land. Through its lush, haunting cinematography and understated yet powerful storytelling, the film captures the ever-present movement of people and place, reminding us that migration is not just a contemporary issue but a fundamental part of nature and humanity" — Jury statement, Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, USA, 2025
Festivals & Awards:
WORLD PREMIERE – Edinburgh International Film Festival 2024
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2025 – WINNER Best Mini-Doc
Vera Film Festival 2025
Aspen Shortsfest 2025
Sunderland Shorts Film Festival 2025
28th CinemAmbiente Environmental Film Festival 2025
Folkestone Film Festival 2025
Bolton Film Festival, October 2025, UK
Montrose LandxSea Film Festival, September 2025
Filmfestival Münster, September 2025, Germany
Inverness Film Festival 2024
14th FilmAmbiente International Environmental Film Festival 2025, Brazil – Winner, Best Short Film Director.
Hebrides International Film Festival 2025
Crested Butte Film Festival 2025, CO, USA
Pianetta Mare Film Festival 2025, Napoli, Italy – Winner, Best Short Film Award
31st CineEco Seia Environmental Film Festival 2025, Portugal – Honourable Mention, Water Value Award.
Ridgway Independent Film Festival 2025, CO, USA
Folkestone Documentary Film Festival, UK – Honourable Mention, The Whickers Award.
Kendal Mountain Festival 2025
Mares del Fin do Mundo International Documentary Festival 2025, Galicia, Spain British Shorts 2026, Berlin, Germany.
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2025 – WINNER Best Mini-Doc
Vera Film Festival 2025
Aspen Shortsfest 2025
Sunderland Shorts Film Festival 2025
28th CinemAmbiente Environmental Film Festival 2025
Folkestone Film Festival 2025
Bolton Film Festival, October 2025, UK
Montrose LandxSea Film Festival, September 2025
Filmfestival Münster, September 2025, Germany
Inverness Film Festival 2024
14th FilmAmbiente International Environmental Film Festival 2025, Brazil – Winner, Best Short Film Director.
Hebrides International Film Festival 2025
Crested Butte Film Festival 2025, CO, USA
Pianetta Mare Film Festival 2025, Napoli, Italy – Winner, Best Short Film Award
31st CineEco Seia Environmental Film Festival 2025, Portugal – Honourable Mention, Water Value Award.
Ridgway Independent Film Festival 2025, CO, USA
Folkestone Documentary Film Festival, UK – Honourable Mention, The Whickers Award.
Kendal Mountain Festival 2025
Mares del Fin do Mundo International Documentary Festival 2025, Galicia, Spain British Shorts 2026, Berlin, Germany.
***
Director & Editor: Mariana Duarte
Producer: Alice Rowsome
DoP: Monika Davies
Additional Camera: Juulia Kala
Additional Editor: Eilidh Munro
Sound Designer & Composer: Jamie Perera
Online Editor & Colourist: Florian Viale
A Bridging the Gap Production
Supported by the Scottish Documentary Institute and Screen Scotland.
