As the documentary Everybody To Kenmure Street premieres at the Sundance Film Festival, its producer, Ciara Barry, has revealed the film has yet to secure full financing despite its debut in the prestigious World Cinema Documentary Competition.
Financing Still in Progress
Barry, a producer at Scotland-based company barry crerar, explained that while the film is nearing completion, they still require additional funds to finish the project. “We still need money to finish the film,” she said. Barry is currently at Sundance seeking investors to help close the funding gap, mentioning that only a small amount remains to be raised.
The documentary, directed by Felipe Bustos Sierra, captures a pivotal protest in Glasgow on May 13, 2021. The protest began when neighbors attempted to stop the deportation of two residents on Kenmure Street. What started as a small action quickly escalated into a sit-in involving thousands of people. The film showcases the community’s collective stand against deportation policies, becoming a significant event in the local struggle for justice.
Despite securing development finance from Screen Scotland, the film has struggled to raise additional funds from other sources, including broadcasters. Barry suggested the political nature of the film may have contributed to these challenges, as its themes may not align with the interests of mainstream media financiers. “To not have the possibility of making a film with a broadcaster, that makes things difficult,” Barry commented. She added that they are still in need of additional financial backing to complete the film.
International sales for the documentary are being managed by The Party Film Sales, with UK-Ireland distribution rights secured by Conic, who are planning a theatrical release for spring 2026.
Documentary as an Independent Producer’s Opportunity
While the film’s financing journey has been challenging, Barry sees documentary filmmaking as a promising avenue for independent producers. “There is something about documentary that feels more organic than scripted and drama,” she said. She also noted that documentaries tend to be more accessible for women and people with families, given their shorter production schedules and the flexibility to finance as they go. Barry hinted that more documentaries are in the pipeline for barry crerar.
The documentary will open the Glasgow Film Festival on February 25, with both Barry and Sierra having personal connections to the protest depicted in the film. Barry participated in the protest in 2021, bringing her one-year-old daughter along with her. This personal involvement with the story adds an emotional layer to the film, with both Barry and Sierra highlighting the unique communal experience of protesting and filmmaking. “To experience it in a traditional cinema setting is special,” said Barry.
Reflecting on the power of collective action, Sierra emphasized the importance of shared experiences, stating, “There’s nothing like watching a film in a crowded cinema… part of our task is making this film as connected as possible, as loud as possible.” The documentary’s relevance has only grown following the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis earlier this year, further highlighting the ongoing importance of protests for social justice.
Sierra concluded by expressing hope for broader societal unity, saying, “What we’re going through at the moment was caused by men, and if it was caused by men, it can be unmade. This joy and positivity of what happened on the streets – this film created a space for ‘what if we all came together?’”
