My SDI

Join us for a Masterclass with director Chloe Fairweather and producer Sinead Kirwan in conversation with SDI Director, Noe Mendelle, about the BAFTA longlisted DYING TO DIVORCE.

By RSVPing to this event, you will receive a time-limited link to watch the film (geoblocked to the UK / pay-what-you-can starting from £2 per rental) and the Zoom details to join us on the day.

DYING TO DIVORCE investigates the shocking levels of femicide and domestic violence in Turkey, which continues to resonate worldwide. In Turkey, 1 in 3 Turkish women have experienced domestic violence, which is the highest proportion amongst economically developed countries worldwide.

Directed by BAFTA nominated Chloë Fairweather (School, I Do at 92) and produced by CPH:DOX F:ACT Award winner Sinead Kirwan (Still The Enemy Within, When a City Rises), made in association with Tigerlily Productions, co-produced by Aldeles and developed and supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland, the film won the Special Jury Prize at The Golden Nymph Awards and the Best Film Amnesty International Award at the Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival.

'Dying To Divorce is a tough, uncompromising watch flecked with specks of hope.' - Empire

'It’s an economical piece, which should play as well on the small screen as the large after its extensive festival and Oscar qualifying run. More importantly, though, it’s a horrifyingly effective presentation of stories which need to be told, over and over and over again, until attitudes change, in Turkey and elsewhere.' - Screen Daily

CHLOE FAIRWEATHER is an award-winning director who specialises in observational documentary and the telling of complex true stories. This is her debut cinema feature. The Welsh born filmmaker started out in TV production over 10 years ago when she was selected for the BBC’s Production Training Scheme. From here she learned her craft assisting documentary directors such as award-winning filmmaker Olly Lambert.

Her first film, Mr Alzheimer's and Me, was shortlisted for The Grierson Best Newcomer Award and was nominated for a BAFTA. Since then, she has made films for all the major British broadcasters. Her films tackle big issues through intimately shot stories and unique access. Her award-winning film, Dying to Divorce has just been long listed for a BAFTA and she is in the early stages of developing a new feature length animated documentary. 

SINEAD KIRWAN is an award-winning multi-disciplinary producer. Her first feature STILL THE ENEMY WITHIN (Grierson shortlisted, Sheffield Audience Award Winner, Focal Nominated) was screened globally. Her film DYING TO DIVORCE received a special mention at this year’s Movies That Matter Film Festival Grand Jury Prize, screened at HOTDOCS, won the Grand Jury Special Prize at The Golden Nymph Awards (Monte Carlo TV Festival) and is part of the BAFTA longlist. She is also currently releasing WHEN A CITY RISES about the Hong Kong uprising that won the CPH:DOX F:ACT award in 2021 and is currently screening at Sydney International Film Festival.

Her short I DON’T WANT TO CALL IT HOME, made under the Bridging the Gap programme, was selected for Edinburgh International Film Festival, Dinard International Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival USA, Flying Broom Film Festival Ankara, Cinema Nova Film Festival Lisbon, among others. Last year PLAYING THE GAME, a documentary she produced, was broadcast by BBC Scotland. She has also made award-winning AVs and installations for museums and galleries across the world and recently completed her first short drama BURN ON ARRIVAL starring Kate Dickie which won The Discover Film Award for Best Thriller.