FABRIC had it’s world premiere at Vue Cinema Piccadilly on Friday 19th June 2026 and a second screening on Saturday, 20th June as part of the 34th Raindance Film Festival. Nominated for Best Documentary Short 2026 at Raindance, the largest independent film festival.
“We’re really pleased and delighted that we could bring this important story to London,”
Sanam Hasan, Producer FABRIC, Tiny Circus Productions
Directed by Anabelle Marshall, and produced by Sanam Hasan, of Tiny Circus Productions, with Co-producers and Editors Sabrine Dahaut and Fraser Moore, of Hemeroscope Studios, the film tells a story of refugee’s thriving.
This Friday, 26th June 2026, the Raindance Film Festival Documentary Short category winner will be announced and if FABRIC takes the prize, it automatically qualifies for both Academy Award (Oscar) and BAFTA consideration.
For a debut feature at a festival of Raindance’s calibre, the premiere was significant. But what comes next depends entirely on Friday’s announcement.
A Premiere During Refugee Week
The timing of the premiere was pertinent. FABRIC screened during Refugee Week with the second screening falling on Refugee Day itself.
For Co-producer and Editor Sabrine Dahaut, her background in human rights advocacy infuses the film with perspective and authenticity. To watch that work translate to screen during the week dedicated to celebrating refugee contributions to society came close to her heart.
Founder of Espero Atelier Maya Persaud, Attends Screening on Refugee Day
Maya Persaud, Founder of Espero Atelier, the organisation at the heart of the documentary, was present for the screening on 20th June, coinciding with Refugee Day. Her attendance underscored the film’s central message that despite the often precarious journeys refugees take to rebuild their lives, the future is bright when they are given the opportunity and support to thrive.
The Q&A with Fellow Documentary Filmmakers
Director Marshall and Co-producer Dahaut participated in a Raindance Q&A alongside other independent filmmakers in the Documentary Short Programming.
It was here that the moderator announced that the Documentary Short winner automatically qualifies for Oscar and BAFTA consideration. In response to the announcement Sanam Hasan and Anabelle Marshall responded:
“We are very honoured to be in such amazing company of these other short film makers. When we started this journey, it wasn’t in our minds at all. We just wanted to present the work of Espero. I think it’s kind of hitting us now that we are on that journey but it wasn’t something we had on our minds during the production journey.”
Sanam Hasan, Producer of FABRIC, Tiny Circus Productions.
“The awards journey is exhilarating, but the stance of refugees is hardening, so the more people who see the film and feel more open hearted and compassionate towards refugees, the better.”
Anabelle Marshall, Director FABRIC
For the FABRIC production team, this week has been a threshold moment. A world premiere at the UK’s largest independent film festival, Q&As, audiences moved by a story told during the very week dedicated to the community at its very heart. A film that arrived exactly when it needed to.
What began as a desire to tell the story of Espero Atelier has quietly become an opportunity for something far larger. On Friday 26th June, the Raindance Film Festival announces its Best Documentary Short winner, and with it the possibility of Oscar and BAFTA qualification. For FABRIC, everything is still to play for.
Follow Raindance Film Festival for Friday’s Announcement
See more details on the documentary from our previous article here.
Follow Tiny Circus Productions for upcoming screening dates
Full feature will appear in our September Print Issue