Shane Meadows wraps production on his new film, Chork

After more than a decade-long hiatus from the big screen, acclaimed filmmaker Shane Meadows is making a return to cinema with his latest project, Chork, a bold new project that promises to reignite the raw, uncompromising storytelling that has cemented him as a defining voice in British film.

Set and shot along the East coast of England, from Kent through Lincolnshire, to Scotland, Chork follows fifteen-year-old Kit and eleven-year-old Ani as they leave their foster home and trek across the coastline in hopes of a brighter future. With the police in pursuit and a national search underway, Kit must use all her determination and wits to protect Ani and fulfil their mission.

Cast by Meadows’ frequent collaborator, Shaheen Baig (Adolescence, Hot Milk) the two have secured the film’s lead cast with open casting calls taking place earlier in the year throughout the UK.

Meadows said, “To be returning to film after 17 years, writing alongside ‘megadude’ Jack Thorne again, and working with so many gifted collaborators, has been an absolute privilege. Our story follows two beyond bright, funny as heck and mischievously ingenious young people on a ‘runaway’ road trip the length of this glorious isle. Safe to say, I’m beyond excited about what we’ve captured on their journey. I’m also hugely grateful to our partners at BBC Film, BFI, Screen Yorkshire, Hoopsa Films and Altitude for their undying trust and support throughout.”

Meadows is known for his bold, emotionally charged storytelling that often draws from his own upbringing in the Midlands. He gained critical acclaim with features TwentyFourSeven, Dead Man’s Shoes, A Room for Romeo Brass and Somers Town. This Is England, which premiered in Toronto in 2006, solidified his reputation, exploring themes of identity, youth, and nationalism in 1980s Britain and spawned three successful television series. His television credits also include The Virtues starring Stephen Graham and The Gallows Pole with Element Pictures for BBC/A24.

Written by Jack Thorne (Adolescence, Joy) and Meadows, Ben Pugh and Cathy King produce Chork for 42, Lauren Dark and Amy Jackson for Unified, Meadows’ Big Arty and Thorne’s One Shoe Films, both of whom will also Executive Produce. The film is financed by BBC Film, BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Screen Yorkshire (via the Yorkshire Content Fund), and Hoopsa Films. Executive Producers are Eva Yates and Kristin Irving for BBC Film, Louise Ortega for the BFI, Caroline Cooper Charles for Screen Yorkshire, Sonny Gill and Tim Macready for Hoopsa Films and Ali Jazayeri and Keith Kehoe for Three Picture Capital alongside Laura Jackson and Joshua Horsfield. The film was developed with BBC Film.

Altitude will release Chork in UK and Irish cinemas in 2026 and will manage international sales.

Eva Yates, Director of BBC Film adds:“The films of Shane Meadows are at the heart of contemporary British independent cinema and we are hugely excited to support his return, with a cast of exceptional new actors, his brilliant writing collaborator Jack Thorne, and an anarchic story of love, redemption and the untapped and profound potential of youth.”

Louise Ortega, Senior Production and Development Executive at the BFI, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to support Shane Meadows in his much-anticipated return to features with Chork, a typically funny, urgent and heartfelt state of the nation piece seen through the lens of two young girls making their way on a messy ride through Britain. Shane, his cowriter Jack Thorne, his producers Ben, Lauren, Amy and Cathy and their skilled crew of collaborators are weaving irreverent magic which asks timely questions. We can’t wait for their film to be out in the world, inspiring a new generation.”

Will Clarke, Chairman and Co-CEO at Altitude commented: “We’re all incredibly excited to be working with Shane again and the talented team behind Chork.  Shane is a distinctive filmmaker and storyteller, and we cannot wait to bring this compelling and charming film to cinema audiences across the UK, Ireland and beyond.  One of British cinema’s shining lights is back on the big screen!”