THE SON AND THE SEA
Stroma Cairns
Two best mates, Jonah and Lee, take a trip to the Northeast coast of Scotland, where Jonah hopes he’ll escape the mess he’s making of his life in London. They meet Charlie, who is profoundly deaf and visiting his twin brother. Through the darkness that meets them on this wild coast, they form a friendship that ultimately brings Jonah to discover the courage to be vulnerable and that joy can be found despite loss. The BRIFF’s take: The Son and the Sea explores the invisible wounds of youth, masculine vulnerability, and the deep human need for connection. Through a deeply tender direction, remarkably authentic performances, and the breathtaking beauty of the Scottish landscapes, Stroma Cairns captures the fragile moment when we learn to become ourselves. A film that leaves a lasting emotional imprint. Selected for the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the 2025 San Sebastián International Film Festival, and the 2025 BFI London Film Festival; Nominated in several categories at the 2025 British Independent Film Awards;
⭐ Screening and Q&A in the presence of Stroma Cairns on 10.09 ⭐
STARRING
Jonah West
Stanley Brock
Connor Tompkins
DIRECTOR
Stroma Cairns
WRITERS
Imogen West
Stroma Cairns
SOUND
Paul Hartmann
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ruben Woodin Dechamps
EDITING
Sam Hodge
Andonis Trattos
Stroma Cairns
PRODUCERS
In The Company Of
Studio Cloy
SALES
MMM Film Sales
Stroma Cairns
Stroma Cairns is a BAFTA-winning director and BIFA longlisted filmmaker, born and raised in London. She has developed an intimate approach to filmmaking, with a particular interest in stories centred around family and youth.
Her debut feature film, The Son and the Sea (2025), developed by BBC Film, had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), followed by its European premiere at the 2025 San Sebastián International Film Festival and its UK premiere at the 2025 BFI London Film Festival.
The Son and the Sea received a nomination at the 2025 British Independent Film Awards for Breakthrough Performance. The film was also longlisted in three additional categories: Best Debut Director, Best Debut Screenwriter, and Breakthrough Performance. This tender coming-of-age drama explores male vulnerability, friendship, and self-discovery against the breathtaking backdrop of the Scottish coast.
Previously, Cairns co-directed half of the BAFTA-winning television series Mood, which received the award for Best Mini-Series in 2023. The series also won Best Limited Series at the Royal Television Society Awards.
In 2019, her short film If You Knew premiered at Sheffield DocFest. It went on to receive a Special Jury Commendation at both the BFI London Film Festival and the London Short Film Festival. The film also won Best Short Film at Open City Documentary Festival and was shortlisted for the Grierson Trustees Award. Inspired by her own experience of hearing loss, the film follows a day in the lives of teenage deaf twins.
FILMOGRAPHY
2014 : Style Brokers (short film)
2019 : Blud (short film)
2019 : If you knew (short film)