July 2026 Film Releases: Coming-of-Age, War, and Protest Documentaries
July 2026 brings a diverse slate of films. Imran Peretta's debut feature follows two friends from Luton, Ish (Farhan Hasnat) and Maram (Yahya Kitana), whose bond is tested by racial violence. Shot in black and white by Jermaine Canute Edwards, the film explores strained communal bonds. Vladimir de Fontenay's 'My Father's Island' stars Swann Arlaud and Woody Nelson as a father and son on a remote Norwegian island, evolving from a mournful coming-of-age story into a psychological thriller. 'Birds of War,' an audience award winner at Sundance, is a documentary by Abd Alkader Habak and Janay Boulos about their love story amid the Syrian civil war, featuring text messages exchanged during the conflict. Andy Mundy-Castle's 'Shoot the People' profiles photographer Misan Harriman, tracing his journey from City recruiter to activist, with appearances by Martin Luther King III and David Meyer Gollan.
Key facts
- Imran Peretta's first feature is set in Luton and follows two friends, Ish and Maram.
- The film is shot in black and white by cinematographer Jermaine Canute Edwards.
- 'My Father's Island' is directed by Vladimir de Fontenay and stars Swann Arlaud and Woody Nelson.
- The film is set on a Norwegian island with no cars, no phones, and no people.
- 'Birds of War' won an audience award at Sundance.
- The documentary is directed by Abd Alkader Habak and Janay Boulos.
- It documents their love story during the Syrian civil war, with text messages exchanged.
- 'Shoot the People' profiles Misan Harriman and includes interviews with Martin Luther King III and David Meyer Gollan.
Entities
Artists
- Imran Peretta
- Andrea Arnold
- Farhan Hasnat
- Yahya Kitana
- Jermaine Canute Edwards
- Vladimir de Fontenay
- Swann Arlaud
- Woody Nelson
- Ruaridh Mollica
- Mike Mills
- Joaquin Phoenix
- Abd Alkader Habak
- Janay Boulos
- Andy Mundy-Castle
- Misan Harriman
- Martin Luther King III
- David Meyer Gollan
- Peter Magubane
Institutions
- BBC
- Sundance
- Vogue
Locations
- Luton
- United Kingdom
- Norway
- Aleppo
- Syria
- Turkey
- London