Ish

A coming-of-age story for modern times, this powerful British debut explores the emotional cost of racism on our children.

  • Director

    Imran Perretta

  • With

    Farhan Hasnat, Yahya Kitana, Joy Crookes

  • UK 2025. 89min

  • Digital

  • Certificate

    15

  • A BFI release

In this powerful debut feature, writer-director Imran Perretta movingly captures the fragile threshold between childhood and adolescence. Best friends Ish and Maram’s lives are forever changed when a racially charged police stop-and-search shatters the bond that united them. In the aftermath of the event, Ish must confront loss, identity and the painful reality of growing up under constant scrutiny. Anchored by striking monochrome visuals, an evocative original score, authentic performances and an impressive screenplay co-written by Perretta and Enda Walsh, this award-winning drama explores friendship, resilience and the emotional cost of being seen as a threat rather than a child. Poetic yet grounded in the reality of everyday life in Luton, Ish is a timely and resonant story that heralds a bold new voice in British cinema.

Rógan Graham, Film Programmer

Audio Description available at all screenings. The screening on Friday 31 July 20:45 NFT2 will be presented with Descriptive Subtitles.

See a Preview screening of Ish + Q&A with co-writer, director and composer Imran Perretta + cast (tbc) on Wednesday 29 July 18:15 NFT1.