ACTING
A new film by Sophie Fiennes and Cheek by Jowl
“Describing an actor’s process is notoriously tricky; ACTING instantly soars to the top of the class”
Screen Daily
ACTING
In the summer of 2021, Cheek By Jowl joined forces with filmmaker Sophie Fiennes to create the first in-depth documentation of Cheek By Jowl’s unique process and philosophy. The end result is a richly detailed and thrilling celebration of our Artistic Directors’ vital method of creating theatre.
Using four key scenes and several soliloquies from Macbeth, Declan and Nick worked with eight actors over two weeks in Twyford Abbey, a derelict mansion on the outskirts of London. Sophie Fiennes operated as a single shooter with the camera harnessed to her body, offering audiences immersive and privileged access into our Artistic Directors’ work.
After receiving its UK premiere at the 2024 Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), ACTING went on to premiere internationally at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in November of that year.
The film saw its US cinematic release this April, with showings both in New York City and Los Angeles. ACTING’s UK theatrical release happens this June – a number of screenings and events have already been announced, with more to come!
To stay abreast of our UK distribution plans, please click through to our UK distributor’s page, Sovereign Films.
ACTING is a co-production of Cheek by Jowl, Amoeba Film, and Lone Star Productions, with support from CHEERIO Publishing and Arts Council England.
How to watch
| Date | Location | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| 13 – 17 June 2026 | Cine Lumiere, London – Q&A with Ralph Fiennes, Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod | Tickets |
| 21 June 2026 | Aldeburgh Cinema, Aldeburgh – Q&A with Sophie Fiennes | Tickets |
Are you a distributor, theatre or film festival interested in screening ACTING?
Please get in touch:
For sales: Shani Hinton
shanihinton@me.com
For festivals: Martin Rosenbaum martin@lonestarproductions.co.uk
Cast
| Name |
|---|
| Grace Andrews |
| David Burnett |
| Amber James |
| Orlando James |
| Sophie Khan Levy |
| Jonathan Livingstone |
| Ekow Quartey |
| Hannah Young |
Creative Team
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Declan Donnellan |
| Director | Nick Ormerod |
| Director, Camera, Editor | Sophie Fiennes |
| Assistant Director | Lucinda Dawkins |
| Sound Recording | Richard Eades |
| Sound Recording | Ned Hards |
| Sound Design | Philippe Ciompi |
| Colourist | Alex Seery |
| Producer | Martin Rosenbaum |
| Producer | Shani Hinton |
Previous Screenings
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| 7 June 2026 | Liverpool, Picturehouse FACT, United Kingdom |
| 6 June 2026 | Edinburgh, Picturehouse Cameo, United Kingdom |
| 5 – 17 June 2026 | London, Cine Lumiere, United Kingdom |
| 1 June 2026 | London, Bertha Dochouse, United Kingdom |
| 11-13 April 2026 | Los Angeles, Culture Vulture Series, USA |
| 10-16 April 2026 | New York City Quad Cinema, USA |
| 8 November 2025 | Pozuelo de Alarcon, Teatro MIRA, Spain |
| 4 September 2025 | Venice, Palazzo Diedo, Venice |
| 13 June 2025 | Sofia, Theatre Academy of Sofia, Bulgaria |
| 18 May 2025 | Platres, Platres Cultural Center, Cyprus |
| 16-18 May 2025 | New York City, Segal Center, USA |
| 7, 11, 16, 24 May 2025 | London, Ciné Lumière, United Kingdom |
| 27 April 2025 | London, Barbican Cinema, United Kingdom |
| 14-24 November 2024 | Amsterdam, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| 18-21 August 2024 | Edinburgh, Edinburgh International Film Festival, United Kingdom |
Reviews
“Describing an actor’s process is notoriously tricky; Acting instantly soars to the top of the class”
Fionnuala Halligan , Screen Daily
“A thrilling portrait of an elusive art”
Danny Leigh, Financial Times – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Palate-cleansingly meditative, unhurried and intelligent”
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian – ⭐⭐⭐⭐
