Naomi Waring

Naomi Waring began her creative journey in theatre, honing her craft in the Royal Court Young Writer’s Program, with her debut play premiering at Battersea Arts Centre. Her transition to film began with Little Ones, an autobiographical documentary supported by Film London and the Kevin Spacey Foundation. A London Film School graduate, her award-winning film The 11thscreened at BAFTA and Oscar-qualifying festivals.

Her work focuses on social realism, exploring working-class communities, youth culture, and the female perspective. In 2019, she was selected for Béla Tarr’s directing workshop, where her film Ascend premiered at Locarno. Her 2020 short Ode, commissioned by BBC Northern Ireland, aired on BBC Arts and screened at festivals like Aesthetica and Underwire. Naomi’s latest short Milk, executive produced by Sienna Miller, tackles infant food poverty and will screen at the Scottish Parliament in 2025.

She teaches screen acting at leading institutions and is developing her debut feature film.

Drifters

LIM 2025

This film follows 19-year-old Ryan, a new father struggling to find his place in the world after the sudden loss of his closest friend, Geordie, a charismatic member of East Belfast’s underground drifting community. As Ryan navigates grief, fatherhood, and fractured relationships, he spirals into isolation, risking the life he hopes to build for his son. A turning point comes when Barry, a local mechanic and beekeeper, introduces Ryan to a group of young fathers who find healing through nature and shared experiences.

Through Ryan’s journey, the film explores themes of masculinity, mental health, grief, and redemption, contrasting the adrenaline-fueled world of car culture with the quiet resilience of community and connection. It delves into the pressures young men face to live up to outdated ideals, offering a hopeful reimagining of fatherhood rooted in vulnerability and growth. Set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland, the story shines a light on healing generational wounds and finding strength in unexpected places.