Animol

Animol
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAshley Walters
Written byNick Love
Produced by
  • Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor
  • Tom Hawkins
  • Nick Love
  • Ashley Walters
Starring
CinematographyTasha Back
Edited byDanielle Palmer
Music bySwindle
Production
companies
Distributed byStudioCanal
Release dates
  • 14 February 2026 (2026-02-14) (Berlinale)
  • 30 October 2026 (2026-10-30) (United Kingdom)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Animol is a 2026 British drama film directed by Ashley Walters in his feature length debut, and written by Nick Love. It stars Tut Nyuot, Vladyslav Baliuk, Stephen Graham and Sharon Duncan-Brewster.

The film had its world premiere at the Perspectives section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2026, where it won the FIPRESCI Prize for Best Film.

Cast

Production

The film was developed by Film4 in collaboration with Joi Productions. It is written by Nick Love and marks the feature length directorial of Ashley Walters. It was produced by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor and Tom Hawkins in association with Walter’s production company SLNDA and Love’s company Rogue State.

The cast is led by Tut Nyuot and Vladyslav Baliuk, with Stephen Graham and Sharon Duncan-Brewster in supporting roles. The film is working with the Synergy Theatre Project and Intermission Youth Theatre, to give opportunities as supporting artists to those considered of potential risk of entering the criminal justice system.

Principal photography began in January 2025.

Release

It premiered at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival. The film is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United Kingdom on 30 October 2026.

References

  1. ↑ "Animol (15A)". Irish Film Classification Office. August 11, 2026. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Animol | Berlinale". www.berlinale.de. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  3. ↑ Ntim, Zac (January 29, 2025). "Ashley Walters Sets Debut Directorial Feature 'Animol'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Ashley Walters begins production on his debut feature film 'Animol'". Sky. January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  5. ↑ Gesingser, Gabrielle (January 29, 2025). "Ashley Walters begins production on his debut feature film 'Animol'". kftv. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Ashley Walters starts work with 'Animol' intentions". Voice. January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  7. ↑ Ritman, Alex (January 29, 2025). "Stephen Graham Among Cast of 'Top Boy' Star Ashley Walters' Directorial Debut 'Animol' as Production Begins (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  8. ↑ Keslassy, Elsa; Shafer, Ellise (January 20, 2026). "Berlin Film Festival Full Lineup: 'Rosebush Pruning' Starring Riley Keough and Callum Turner, Channing Tatum's 'Josephine' and More". Variety. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  9. ↑ Dalton, Ben (August 11, 2026). "UK-Ireland film cinema release dates: latest updates for 2026". Screen Daily. Retrieved August 11, 2026.