The Education of Jane Cumming

Year 2026
Runtime 1h 54min
Rating R21 (Some Homosexual Content)
Language English
Director Sophie Heldman
Producer Bettina Brokemper
Screenwriter Flora Nicholson, Sophie Heldman
Cinematographer Kate Reid
Cast Clare Dunne, Flora Nicholson, Mia Tharia, Fiona Shaw

Edinburgh, 1810. Teachers Jane Pirie and Marianne Woods embark on their dream of an independent life together and open a boarding school. Their lives are changed forever when a wealthy aristocrat enrols her "illegitimate" 15-year-old grandchild from India. The teachers struggle to integrate the girl who remains an outsider among her classmates. Miss Pirie and Miss Woods are brought closer to Jane Cumming when her grandmother insists they look after her over the summer. Private and professional lines blur, affection between them grows and they start to form an unlikely family. Tensions rise as the new term begins. The teachers are overwhelmed with the girl's increasing desire for closeness and their own changing relationship. As Jane Cumming begins to feel excluded from her new family, she demands to be taken home to her grandmother. An accusation follows which leaves the teacher's fighting for their lives, resulting in a legal battle that would last a decade and scandalise the Scottish establishment. Based on true events.

This film is co-presented with the Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore.

AWARDS
Sunny Bunny Queer Festival 2026
- Best Feature Film

Filmkunstfest MV 2026
- Up-and-Coming Actor

Teddy Award (Berlin International Film Festival 2026)
- Nominated for Best Feature Film