“The State of Us,” a British coming-of-age comedy, has been acquired for theatrical distribution in the United Kingdom by Vertigo Releasing. The film marks the directorial debut of Jake Harvey and Ollie Gardner and stars Samuel Bottomley and Callum Scott Howells in lead roles. The project made its world premiere in the main competition at the Edinburgh International Film Festival earlier this year and is scheduled to open in U.K. cinemas in 2027.
The narrative centers on two lifelong friends navigating a single transformative night. The story follows 19-year-old Frankie, who breaks his terminally ill friend Taylor out of a hospice to continue their annual tradition of watching fireworks from a hilltop in memory of Frankie’s deceased parents. As their evening progresses into pandemonium, tensions mount between the pair, forcing Frankie to confront difficult emotional truths he has been avoiding throughout the night.
The film was shot in Yorkshire and explores themes of friendship, mortality, and personal growth. Taylor’s condition creates urgency around their shared experiences, and the narrative ultimately examines Frankie’s capacity to find meaning and continue living amid loss. The supporting cast includes Safia Oakley-Green, Seamus O’Hara, Sunetra Sarker, and Frances Barber. Harvey also wrote the screenplay, while original music was composed by Tom Ogden of indie band Blossoms.
The production is a collaborative effort among several production entities, including Restless Pictures, Crossday Productions, and 4 8 Fourteen Films, with funding support from Screen Yorkshire. Circus Studios is managing worldwide sales rights. The film is scheduled to screen at the Rome Film Festival on Monday.
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