Ep224: EIFF live – Molly Manners & Sophie Heldman on EXTRA GEOGRAPHY & THE EDUCATION OF JANE CUMMING

This episode was recorded live with an audience at Monkey Barrel as part of Edinburgh International Film Festival 2026, where host Anna Smith welcomed two directors whose films are both set at girls’ boarding school, though the stories they tell could hardly be more different.

Anna's first guest is Molly Manners, director of EXTRA GEOGRAPHY, a hit at Sundance which received its UK premiere at EIFF in a screening presented in partnership with Girls On Film. Manners is also known for the BAFTA-winning TV series ONE DAY. She talks about her route into directing, how she recognises a good take, the leap from television to film, and the pull toward working with women collaborators, including EXTRA GEOGRAPHY writer Miriam Battye and producer Sarah Brocklehurst, both previous guests on the show.

EXTRA GEOGRAPHY stars Marni Duggan, Galaxie Clear and Alice Englert.

Anna's second guest is Sophie Heldman, director of THE EDUCATION OF JANE CUMMING, presented at EIFF in partnership with Reclaim The Frame. Set in Edinburgh, the film explores sexuality and prejudice in ways that prove strikingly relevant to the present day. Heldman discusses the story's origins, working with an all-women crew, and filming in Edinburgh.

THE EDUCATION OF JANE CUMMING stars Clare Dunne, Flora Nicholson, Mia Tharia and Fiona Shaw.

Together with Anna, Molly and Sophie compare notes on why the intensity of boarding school life lends itself so well to drama, and share their own favourite films from the genre.

Where to watch

EXTRA GEOGRAPHY opens in UK cinemas on 2 October.

THE EDUCATION OF JANE CUMMING opens in UK cinemas early in 2027.

More from EIFF

Anna's picks from this year's festival:

COMING HOME, the classic starring Jane Fonda