BFI Distribution has acquired UK-Ireland distribution rights to Name Me Lawand, Edward Lovelace’s documentary about a deaf Kurdish boy who moves from Iraq to the UK, where he learns British Sign Language.
The film debuted at the BFI London Film Festival in October last year in the documentary competition; it will have its international premiere at Hot Docs in Toronto on May 1.
BFI Distribution acquired the rights from producers Pulse Films, and will release the film in cinemas this summer.
Name Me Lawand follows the eponymous Kurdish boy, who has been deaf since birth. He leaves Iraq with his family, travelling to Derby, UK where he attends the Royal School for the Deaf and discovers his own identity.
Name Me Lawand is produced by Lovelace, Fleur Nieddu Lovelace, Sam Arnold, Beyan Taher, Neil Andrews and Marisa Clifford. Executive producers are Thomas Benski, Tim O’Shea, Diene Petterle, Lisa Marie Russo, Kwesi Dickson and Isabel Freer.
Writer-director Lovelace has made two previous documentaries with co-director James Hall, including Bifa- and Grierson award-nominated The Possibilities Are Endless.
Stuart Brown, BFI head of programme & acquisitions, described the film as “an inspiring portrait of courage and resilience as well as a powerful testament to the importance of communication, community and of finding your place in the world.”
BFI Distribution’s current slate includes Mark Jenkin’s Bait follow-up Enys Men; and God’s Creatures starring Paul Mescal, which made a strong start in cinemas this past weekend.
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