Experiencing Interruptions?

Under This Sky

A Story About Cancer, Trauma, Healing and Hope

Two years have gone by since ABIGAIL was diagnosed with Stage Three Colorectal Bowel cancer. Whilst earlier video diaries look at her cancer treatment, "Under This Sky", expands ABIGAIL’S story by using the camera and recorder as her “eyes” and “ears” to document her personal cancer survivorship, her creative and healing process and the world around her.
Using eclectic filmmaking styles, "Under This Sky" explores our relationship with ourselves, each other and our world.

  • Abigail Hopkins
    Director
  • Abigail Hopkins
    Writer
  • Abigail Hopkins
    Producer
  • Kate Maravan
    Contributors
  • David Sulkin
    Contributors
  • Sarah Russell
    Contributors
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 34 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 5, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • London Indie Film Festival (2025)
    London
    United Kingdom
    Winner Best Documentary 13th Edition
  • Liberty Films Festival (2025)
    Athens
    Greece
    Winner Best Documentary Short
  • Toronto Film and Script Awards (2024)
    Toronto
    Canada
    Best Short Documentary 23rd Edition
  • UK Film Awards International (2024)
    London
    United Kingdom
    Finalist for Best Short Documentary
  • London Women Film Festival (2025)
    London
    United Kingdom
    Semi-Finalist
  • Amsterdam Movie Fest (2024)
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    Official Selection
  • Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival (2025)
    Athens
    Greece
    Honourable Mention
  • Berlin Women's Cinema Festival (2024)
    Berlin
    Germany
    Nominee
  • Cambridge Short Film Festival (2025)
    Cambridge
    United Kingdom
    Nominee
  • Cannes Art Festival (2024)
    Cannes
    France
    Nominee
  • Cannes Independent Shorts (2024)
    Cannes
    France
    Official Selection
  • Cine Paris Film Festival (2025)
    Paris
    France
    Official Selection
  • Cinematography and Film Awards (2024)
    London
    United Kingdom
    Official Selection
  • Doc Lens Festival (2026)
    London
    United Kingdom
    Official Selection
  • Hastings Rocks International Film Festival (2025)
    Hastings
    United Kingdom
    Official Selection
  • LA Film and Documentary Awards (2024)
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Los Angeles Short Film Award (2026)
    Los Angeles
    United States
  • Milan Indie Film Festival (2026)
    Milan
    Italy
  • New York Film and Cinematography Awards (2024)
    New York
    United States
    Official Selection
  • New York Shorts Awards (2024)
    New York
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Pageant Film Festival (2026)
    Gangtok, Sikkim
    India
    Finalist
  • Tiete International Film Awards (2025)
    Sao Paulo
    Brazil
  • Toronto Lift-Off Film Festival (2025)
    Toronto
    Canada
    Official Selection
  • UK Seasonal Short Film Festival (2025)
    London
    United Kingdom
    Special Mention
Director Biography - Abigail Hopkins

Abigail Hopkins was born in 1968 and hails from a family of actors, writers and comedians. She has worked extensively as an actress, acting coach and singer- songwriter. She has released four albums and an EP, and toured the USA, performing at SXSW and venues in Los Angeles as well as on numerous BBC stations across the UK. Abigail has been invited as a special guest on Woman’s Hour for BBC Radio 4 twice. She has played featured roles in theatre, TV and film. Her film acting credits include the Bollywood hit, "Romeo Vs Juliet", "Shadowlands", "A Few Selected Exits" for BBC Wales as well as docudramas including "Elizabeth", and "Bloody Tales of Europe" presented by Suzannah Lipscombe for National Geographic. Abigail was recently awarded a Distinction for her MA in Filmmaking by The University of East London. Her film "Delirium" was screened at the Nunnery Gallery in East London. Abigail has written a memoir about her personal journey with cancer and recorded the charity album, "Stardust" which is now released on all major digital platforms. The CD was released on 6th June 2025.
Selected Filmography (as director and composer): Under This Sky (2025); Storm - Music Video (2025); Delirium (2022) - Nunnery Gallery Screening; Homogeminus (2010) - Composed film score.

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Director Statement

"Under This Sky" was made initially as my MA Dissertation film and has since been re-edited to contain additional footage. I wanted to tell my personal story about cancer survivorship, to help others going through the same experience and as part of my own therapeutic process. It is my heartfelt wish that my story reaches many audiences to provide comfort and hope and to raise awareness about colon cancer, as early detection can save lives.