Simon Ryninks' debut feature Out There has confirmed its first UK screening as part of this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival competition lineup. The sci-fi film starring Michael Sheen has been described as a "joyous celebration of eccentric outsiders" and "a heartfelt story about belief, finding meaning, and coming to terms with loss".
Also starring Iwan Rheon, Aneurin Barnard, and Alice Lowe, Out There follows a teenage space fan who spots a UFO flying over her Welsh seaside town.
A synopsis reads: "Still grieving the disappearance of her scientist father, amateur teenage astronomer Maz (Nerys Amber Stocks) is convinced she has spotted something suspicious hovering above her sleepy Welsh hometown.
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"Recruiting the support of her best mate Little Elis (Tom Moya), UFO-obsessed conspiracy theorist Bryn (Barnard) and local psychic Shifty Gruff (Sheen), Maz and her gang of misfits set out to uncover the truth, one that is far more complex than they might have expected.
"Breathlessly paced, wittily evoking its early 2000s setting via superb music choices, costumes and production design, this charming Welsh debut from director Simon Ryninks is poignant, funny and entirely unpredictable."
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The film has its world premiere at EIFF on 14 August, with further screenings on 15, 16, and 18 August.
The cast is rounded out by Olivia Southgate, Remy Beasley, Matthew Aubrey, Gwydion Rhys, Daniel Whelan, Rory Kelleher, Vee Vimolal, Lola Waters and Tesni Kujore.
Speaking ahead of the film's screening, Ryninks said: "I’m thrilled that this film will premiere at the 79th Edinburgh International Film Festival. Out There is a deeply personal film, rooted in Wales and its unusual extraterrestrial history.
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"This legacy inspired me to write a very human story with an urgent question at its core: how do we engage critically with people’s beliefs while still trying to understand where they come from?
"That question feels especially important right now. Above all, the film is a comedy and a joyful celebration of eccentric outsiders, and I hope audiences have a great time watching it."
Out There was developed by the BFI and Ffilm Cymru Wales alongside the TIFF Filmmaker Lab with funding from BFI, Ffilm Cymru Wales, and Welsh Government via Creative Wales and the Arts Council of Wales using proceeds from the National Lottery.
It was produced by Sweetdoh Films' Tibo Travers and Bad Cat's Katie Dolan.
The 79th Edinburgh International Film Festival will run from 13 August to 19 August.
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