Bankside’s ‘Surviving Earth’ sells to UK-Ireland

EXCLUSIVE: Bankside has sold Thea Gajić’s SXSW and Edinburgh premiere Surviving Earth to Metis Films for UK-Ireland release.

Metis Films, founded by former Altitude and eOne executive Ben Metcalf last year, will release the film theatrically in spring 2026.

Gajić’s debut feature, based on a true story, follows a talented harmonica player who arrives in the UK in the 1990s after fleeing the conflict in Yugoslavia. He rebuilds his life in Bristol, but when traumas from his past life resurface, his life fractures. Slavko Sobin, Olive Gray, Stuart Martin, Peter Coonan, Toni Gojanović and Ann Ogbomo star. 

Surviving Earth is produced out of the UK by Aleksandra Bilić of My Accomplice and Sophie Reynolds of Sona Films. The feature was developed and financed by BFI and Film4.

UK-born Gajić was a Screen Star of Tomorrow 2024.

“Making this film has changed the way I look at myself and the people around me,” she said. ”It has allowed me to extend grace further than I thought possible and I only hope it does the same for others. I am so excited for our release in the spring and for audiences to finally be a part of its story and further conversation.”

”A beautiful, poignant story with stunning photography and stellar performances,” added Metcalf. ”Thea declares herself as a major new voice in British cinema and we’re proud to bring this film to audiences.”

• AFM 2025: Screen’s dailies