the survivor of an acid attack which boasted a starmaking performance from feature first—timer vicky knighteally is astonishing. then in september, we had a trio of home—grown modern classics that showcased the diversity of film—making in the uk. she's not coming to take you away. you promise? there's so much we can do here now that you're home. from writer—director shola amoo came the semiautobiographical second feature the last tree, the story of a young man of nigerian heritage being uprooted from an idyllic rural childhood to face life on the mean streets of london. it's a very powerful film featuring a breakthrough performance by sam adewunmi. i have not got that much room. you've got a foot on that side. and i literally am on a ledge. i've got nowhere to go. also in september, we had the release ofjoanna hogg's the souvenir, recently voted best film of 2019 by sight & sound magazine. another autobiographically inspired work, the souvenir starred honor swinton byrne as a young film—maker who falls into a relationship with tom burke's sinisterly mysterious anthony. it's a very personal