Between the Lights – North America Release News
July 2025
Media Play News have exclusively announced the August 19th North America release date for Between the Lights. Distributed via Freestyle Digital Media, Between the Lights will soon be available across multiple platforms in the US and Canada – order your copies now!
Laal Blue Dot Co-founder on Dances With Films Grand Jury
June 2025
Laal Blue Dot co-founder and creative producer David Groom is to return to the Grauman’s TCL Chinese Theatres on Hollywood Boulevard again this month. David has been invited to serve on the Grand Jury to judge all in-competition feature films, then as the holder of last years award will be presenting the award to this years winner. David will also be featuring on a ‘Life After Dances’ panel to discus navigating the world of sales and distribution after a festival run.
Laal Blue Dot Co-founder Selected for BIFA Springboard 2025
May 2025
Laal Blue Dot co-founder and writer-director-producer Michael Groom has been selected as one of only 30 filmmakers to be selected for the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) 2025 Springboard cohort. This is an invaluable training programme for any filmmaker to be a part of, thanks to BIFA and we can’t wait for Mike to get started!
Laal Blue Dot in Cannes
May 2025
Laal Blue Dot will be returning to Cannes once again this month with a growing slate under their arm. We’re joining forces with multiple co-producers whilst there to pitch three films in particular and explore numerous potential financing and co-producing avenues. We look forward to reconnecting with past colleagues and forging new relationships with future ones.
Between the Lights Available Now in the U.K.
March 2025
Between the Lights is now available to stream on demand in the U.K. on any of Apple TV, Prime Video, SkyStore, Virgin Media, Rakuten, Google Play or Microsoft Movies. Order your copy now!
Between the Lights U.K. Release News
February 2025
Between the Lights carries all of the 2024 momentum into 2025 with a Vertical Entertainment announcement of a multi-platform release on 17th March! Mark your calendars and pre order your copy of the film at any of Apple TV, Prime Video, SkyStore, Virgin Media, Rakuten, Google Play or Microsoft Movies.
Between the Lights – Limited UK Theatrical Release
December 2024
Between the Lights is coming to a big screen near you this Christmas! Hitting big screens in London, Yorkshire and Cumbria with a mixture of special director Q&As and select screenings, come see what all the fuss is about at one of the following:
Whirled Cinema, London w/ director & cast Q&A – Thu 5th December – 7.00p.m.
Ritz Cinema, Thirsk w/ director Q&A – Sun 8th December – 7.30p.m.
Parkway Cinema, Workington – Fri 13th December w/ director Q&A then daily screenings 14th – 19th December.
Alhambra Cinema, Keswick – select screenings 11th, 14th, 15th, 18th & 20th December.
Special ‘One Night Stand’ Screening in affiliation with Brighton Rocks International Film Festival
November 2024
Between the Lights will be kicking off its advent limited theatrical run with a special ‘One Night Stand’ screening hosted by the magnificent BIFA-qualifying Brighton Rocks International Film Festival next month! Come and join some cast and crew for the event taking place at the iconic Whirled Cinema in Brixton on Thursday 5th December.
Three upcoming festivals in the US Midwest and Canada
November 2024
It’s going to be a busy November for Between the Lights, as just like London buses, three festivals are coming along in quick succession this month! Following in the footsteps of our last short The Merciless Beauty, Between the Lights will be showing in Michigan and Illinois in the USA, and Ontario, Canada respectively at the following festivals:
East Lansing Film Festival – Fri 8th November – 8.45p.m. & Mon 11th November – 6.15p.m.
Lake County Film Festival – Sat 9th November – 11.40a.m.
Vox Popular Media Arts Festival – Sat 16th November – 9.30p.m.
Between the Lights awarded Best Narrative Feature by the Grand Jury of the Seoul Whistler Film Festival!
October 2024
Between the Lights capped off a wonderful Asian premiere at the Seoul Whistler Film Festival in Seoul, South Korea by having the honour of Best Narrative Feature bestowed upon it by the Grand Jury. A huge thank you to everyone at SWFF and to everyone that turned out to see our work!
Seoul Whistler Film Festival
October 2024
Some news from the other side of the world now, Between the Lights has been selected to screen as part of the inaugural Seoul Whistler Film Festival in South Korea. Our Asian premiere will take place at Sangsang Cinema in Hongdae on Saturday 26th October, 4p.m.
London Breeze Film Festival
October 2024
We’re delighted to announce that Between the Lights has been invited to have its UK premiere at the iconic Riverside Studios in West London as part of the 2024 lineup of the BIFA-qualifying London Breeze Film Festival. Come and join us as we finally introduce Between the Lights to a home audience on Saturday 26th October, 7.30p.m.!
John Dorr’s Between the Lights‘ original score wins Best Score at the Richmond International Film festival.
September 2024
Huge congratulations to our talented maestro John Dorr, as his outstanding original work on Between the Lights was honoured with the Best Score award at the Richmond International Film Festival. John created a mesmeric, tantalising, haunting and melodic set of tracks and motifs for our film, even managing to weave his magic around ancient Christmas carols for the narrative(!), creating the perfect device for us to transcend our story to the audience.
Richmond International Film Festival
September 2024
Six years on from The Merciless Beauty appearing in their lineup, Laal Blue Dot are returning to the Richmond, Virginia, USA with Between the Lights. Screening at the 13th Richmond International Film Festival on Wednesday 25th September, 8.00p.m. at the historically iconic Byrd Theatre – we can’t wait to be headed to the Commonwealth of Virginia once again!
Laal Blue Dot at the Galway Film Fleadh
July 2024
Laal Blue Dot was selected to participate in the marketplace of the 2024 Film Fleadh in Galway, Ireland. We are looking forward to connecting with potential financiers and coproducers to pitch one of our next projects, Confessions of a Pagan Nun, which is to be set and filmed in the southwest of Ireland.
Between the Lights scoops the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at Dances With Films LA.
June 2024
We are thrilled to announce that Between the Lights capped off a very successful West Coast premiere screening in Hollywood by receiving top honours from the grand jury, scooping the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature. We are truly honoured to receive this from a jury of peers and previous winners and would like to thank all of the wonderful Dances With Films family.
Between the Lights to feature in the 27th edition of Dances With Films in Hollywood
May 2024
Laal Blue Dot is very excited to finally announce that Between the Lights will be showcased as a West Coast premiere at none other than the TCL Chinese Theatres on Hollywood Boulevard at the end of June. Featuring as part of the 27th edition of Dances With Films, we can’t wait to be teaming up with these guys once again and bringing our northern English film to the modern home of the silver screen!
Marché du Film – Cannes Film Festival
May 2024
Laal Blue Dot is returning to Cannes once more! We will be promoting our sales agent’s efforts with the selling of Between the Lights in the Marché du Film, as well as pitching two more features off our slate with a view to exploring co-producing opportunities and discussing financing options. Looking forward to meeting new and old colleagues alike in the sunshine.
Between the Lights wins Best Foreign Film at the 19th Myrtle Beach International Film Festival
April 2024
Laal Blue Dot’s Between the Lights fought off stiff competition to be named best international film at the 2024 Myrtle Beach International Film Festival. What a wonderful follow up to our last visit where we picked up a runner up award in the same category with The Merciless Beauty. Huge thanks to the MBIFF team for honouring us!
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival
March 2024
Six years on from an award winning visit with The Merciless Beauty, Laal Blue Dot are returning to the shores of South Carolina, USA with their debut feature film Between the Lights. Screening at the 19th Myrtle Beach International Film Festival on Wednesday 24th April, we are very excited to be headed to the Palmetto State once again!
European Film Market at the 74th Berlinale
February 2024
Laal Blue Dot’s is delighted to announce that they have signed with LA-based company Mind The Gap to act at sales agent for their debut feature film Between the Lights. First order of the day for this new collaboration is to take Between the Lights to the EFM in Berlin to court potential buyers.
Keswick Film Festival
January 2024
Laal Blue Dot’s debut feature film Between the Lights has been selected to open the upcoming Keswick Film Festival on Thursday 29th February. We are delighted and honoured as this is something of a homecoming event for us – we are native to the Lakes and shot a large amount of Between the Lights in Keswick.
November 2023
Laal Blue Dot’s debut feature film Between the Lights has been selected to world-premiere in the heart of Manhattan in December as part of the upcoming Dances With Films NY, a top ten US rated film festival and true champions of independent film. All news regarding events and ticket sales can be found on the Between the Lights social media pages.
May 2023
Laal Blue Dot’s debut feature film Between the Lights has been selected as one of only a handful of films to feature in The Breakthrough Strand at this year’s Film London London Screenings in June. London Screenings is a business to business event that provides a platform to celebrate and promote UK films to the international market.
European Film Market at the 73rd Berlinale
February 2023
Laal Blue Dot is excited to be heading back to in-person festivals and markets again! We will be attending the European Film Market in Berlin next week as both part of the Creative UK: Market Trader programme, as well as independently representing our work in the market.
CREATIVE UK – CREATIVE ENTERPRISE: MARKET TRADER
October – 2022
Laal Blue Dot has been selected as one of only a handful of creative companies across the country to be part of the Creative Enterprise: Market Trader programme.
Creative Enterprise: Market Trader is a unique five-month long programme that aims to equip participants with the knowledge and support they need to understand the film market better, plan and target their approach and come away from international markets with the best possible results. Led by Creative UK and made possible by funding from the British Film Institute and National Lottery, the programme is for high-potential screen-based companies and technology platforms that innovate across video-games, visual effects and animation, immersive media and film and TV.
28th March 2022 – Article: Creative UK speaks with Laal Blue Dot co-founder Michael Groom
author: Ivana Karabova, words & interview: Simon Bland
CREATIVE ENGLAND – CREATIVE ENTERPRISE: EVOLVE
August – 2021
Laal Blue Dot has been selected as one of only twenty creative companies across the country to be part of the Creative Enterprise: Evolve programme.
Creative Enterprise: Evolve is a unique nine-month long programme designed by investors that prepares high-potential screen businesses for growth capital. Led by Creative England and made possible by funding from the British Film Institute and National Lottery, the programme is for high-potential screen-based companies and technology platforms that innovate across video-games, visual effects and animation, immersive media and film and TV.
