SMOOTH THE EDGES: BFI-FUNDED BRITISH ROMANI DRAMA TO RECEIVE WORLD PREMIERE AT SEVILLE EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL 2026
A landmark moment for Romani representation in British cinema as writer-director Charles Newland brings an authentic Romani story to an international audience.
The BFI-funded British drama SMOOTH THE EDGES, written and directed by Charles Newland, will receive its world premiere at the 23rd Seville European Film Festival, marking an important milestone for Romani representation in contemporary British cinema.
Centred on the experiences of a Romani woman navigating prejudice, identity and belonging, SMOOTH THE EDGES offers an intimate and uncompromising exploration of the challenges faced by people who feel compelled to conceal their cultural heritage in order to be accepted by wider society.
“A defining aspect of the production is its majority Romani cast and crew, representing a significant step towards greater cultural representation and ownership within the British film industry,” says Writer and Director Charles Newland.
“For generations, Romani people have frequently been depicted on screen through the perspectives of outsiders, often reinforcing stereotypes and misconceptions. SMOOTH THE EDGES challenges that tradition by placing Romani voices at the centre of the filmmaking process.”
The film follows Chantel (Megan Placito), a Romani woman who has spent much of her life keeping her heritage hidden to avoid discrimination. When she loses her job and is forced to seek new employment, she finds herself confronting the prejudice and assumptions that continue to shape her everyday experiences. As the pressure to fit into a world that does not fully accept her grows, Chantel must confront the personal cost of denying an important part of who she is.
“The importance of a majority Romani production extends beyond representation on screen. It creates meaningful opportunities for Romani creatives to participate in the industry, contribute our lived experiences and help shape how our community is portrayed,” says Charles Newland.
“ It also demonstrates the value of authentic storytelling, where cultural identity is not simply a subject to be explored but an integral part of the creative process itself.”
For writer and director Charles Newland, SMOOTH THE EDGES represents a commitment to telling stories that challenge perceptions and bring underrepresented voices into mainstream cinema. Through an intimate, character-led approach, he offers audiences an opportunity to engage with a contemporary Romani experience rarely explored in British drama.
Its world premiere at the 23rd Seville European Film Festival will introduce the film to an international audience and provide an important platform for a story that deserves to be seen and heard.
SMOOTH THE EDGES will screen as a Special Screening as part of the Raising Romani Gaze strand on 13th November.
The 23rd Seville European Film Festival 2026 runs from 6th to 14th November.
https://festivalcinesevilla.eu/en/node/12266
By Charles Newland/ Travellers Times News
(Images © Charles Newland)