Geronto Unveils First‑Look Trailer Ahead of BFI London Screening

BFI London Film Festival 2026 screenings:

Saturday 10th October, 15:20, Epic 1, Vue West End  

Wednesday 14^th October, 15:35, NFT2, BFI Southbank

Following its Grand Prize win at its World Premiere at Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival, GERONTO Is set to play at this year’s BFI London Film Festival and the official trailer now been released ahead of its public screenings on 10^th and 14^th October.

Set across one autumnal night in London, the film challenges well established preconceptions of age-gap relationships, following the story of a young man’s secret attraction to elderly men. Two men, played by BAFTA winner Jason Watkins (Dirty Business, The Crown, Des, The Lost Honour Of Christopher Jeffries) and rising star Noah Valentine (Waterloo Road, Inside No. 9), from very different generations discover an unexpectedly intimate connection, before falling foul of an unfortunate misunderstanding.

Written with autobiographical content by actor Christopher Sherwood (In From The Side, Triumph Of The Heart), it’s produced by Chimera Lab’s Tom Taplin (Assistant Producer on HBO’s Youth), directed by Mark Pluck (Iris Prize nominee, Hornbeam), with a score by Brit-Award nominated Sister Bliss of Faithless.

Christopher Sherwood, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Lee Dean (Judy) says, “Being selected for London Film Festival was something we hoped and prayed for but certainly didn’t expect. I’m over the moon, though slightly daunted by the idea of sharing this uncomfortably personal story on such a prestigious stage. But my hope is that it brings comfort to other underrepresented people like me who’ve never seen versions of themselves on screen, and perhaps some enlightenment to others who may leap to wrong conclusions when they see such age-difference intimacy”.

Producer Tom Taplin adds, “We always knew this story had the potential to be uncomfortable, so to be recognised with an official selection at London Film Festival and an award win at Rhode Island is incredibly affirming of the work we’re doing to combat stigma around this subject”..

Director Mark Pluck says, “We really couldn’t have asked for a better start to our festival campaign for this film, a film that focuses on the universal, deeply human desires that shape the bond between our two lead characters – the desire for connection, intimacy, and belonging. My hope is that audiences leave the film with a more nuanced perspective on relationships and the many forms they can take.”

Following its award-winning World Premiere at Flickers Rhode Island Film Festival, Geronto received its European premiere at Edinburgh International Film Festival. Along with LFF, these are BAFTA-qualifying festivals and it means that the film is now eligible for this year’s Best British Short Film Award.

Geronto screens at BFI London Film Festival in As TheYears Roll By shorts programme on Saturday 10^th October at Vue West End and Wednesday 14^th October at BFI Southbank

BFI London Film Festival runs 7^th-18^th October 2026