Duty of Care
Sunday 12th September 12:45pm (60m)
A compelling handful of films exploring the often unseen responsibilities and emotionally charged involvement in caring for others, paid and unpaid.
Content Guidance: Violence, Drug Use, Abuse (mental/emotional)
CARE
James’ prison cell is a state, Ali’s job is to clean it. He’s regretfully agreed to look after his fellow inmate, a ‘wifer’ with dementia. As their unlikely bond grows, Ali discovers the true value of care - and is forced to face what he’s neglected in his own life.
Director: Stef O’Driscoll
Writer: Sophie Ellerby
Producer: Hannah Tookey, Lindsay Fraser
FIRST TIMER
It’s Meghan’s first week on the job as a home carer. She’s left alone to visit the elderly Bonnie who has a refreshing, yet challenging approach to her personal care.
Director: Hannah Kathryn Kelso
Writer: Hannah Kathryn Kelso
Producer: Danielle Goff
LAUNDRY LIST
Laundry List centers on Joe, a young woman caught in the emotional and physical turmoil of caring for her aging mother. As their relationship strains under the weight of responsibility, frustration simmers, revealing the deep, unspoken challenges of balancing duty with personal sacrifice.
Director: Alison Emma Vivien Foyle
Writer: Joshua Hanks
Producer: Alison Emma Vivien Foyle
STRAY
Stray tells the story of Ella, a troubled teenage girl who, after her foster placement breaks down, finds herself with nowhere to go. With social services unable to find a new placement, she’s reluctantly assigned to Sam, a social care worker with whom she has a relationship albeit a rocky one.
Director: Kim Bartley
Writer: Kim Bartley
Producer: Clara Appelbe
Buy your tickets.
You can purchase a ticket to just this screening, or grab a pass to watch lots more films and attend events happening across the festival weekend.
Discounts for groups, families, students and those on low income support are available too.
Unlock the entire weekend of Women X Fest 2025. Your weekend pass gives you access to all our short film screenings, plus any special programmes. You’ll also be able to attend all our talks, film quiz night, networking events and our awards show.
Weekend passes do not include access to our family screenings.