Ep 225: Sally Phillips, Ebada Hassan & Jeanie Finlay talk docs, women and activism at Latitude 2026

Girls On Film returns to Latitude for a fourth year, celebrating the festival’s 20th anniversary with a fabulous panel of women from film and TV, chaired by host Anna Smith.

First up, Anna welcomes actor, comedian, producer and director Sally Phillips, who talks about recent television and film roles (VIRGINIA WOOLF’S NIGHT & DAY, THE HAIRDRESSER MYSTERIES) as well as a current project working with people with learning difficulties.

Next Anna is joined by Girls On Film award-winner, Ebada Hassan, star of BRIDES and PROPER LADIES who talks about claiming space for women of colour and Muslim creative talent.

Finally, documentary filmmaker Jeanie Finlay joins the panel to talk about her work, including latest feature ALL RIVERS SPILL THEIR STORIES TO THE SEA, a wryly humorous account of the plight of Teesside fishers who forge a pathway through grief and loss to finding power in community.

All three guests discuss the last 20 years in comedy, drama and documentary, reflecting on the progress made by women in the industry, in particular the legacy of industry trailblazer Jess Search, co-founder of Doc Society, Good Pitch and Shooting People. Sally also opens up about her challenging experience making the BBC documentary A WORLD WITHOUT DOWN'S SYNDROME?.

This episode was recorded at The Listening Post at Latitude Festival on Saturday 25th July 2026.

Special thanks to Latitude for having us, and to our principal sponsors Peter Brewer and Vanessa Smith.

VIRGINIA WOOLF’S NIGHT & DAY is currently screening at select UK cinemas.

You can watch THE HAIRDRESSER MYSTERIES on BBC iPlayer.

PROPER LADIES is available on BBC iPlayer.

BRIDES is available on BFI Player and Amazon Prime Video.

ALL RIVERS SPILL THEIR STORIES TO THE SEA will screen in cinemas nationwide from October 23rd 2026. More information about the film here: https://www.glimmerama.com/allriversspill