Directors: Annigna and Tom Kennedy / Jersey / 2026 / 103 mins
World Premiere
Jèrriais, – a language on the edge of silence. An intimate portrait of Jèrriais, Jersey’s ancient native language, following the voices of its last native speakers and the growing movement fighting to keep it alive – but can it still be done?
Un portrait întînme du Jèrriais, la vielle langue dé Jèrri, tch’en siêthant les vouaix des dreins pâleurs natifs êcliaithe la craîssance du mouvement dé l’ravigoter – mais nou-s-y rêussitha-t-i’?
This documentary is about a people – the people who spoke, and still speak, Jèrriais, Jersey’s ancient language. Passed down through generations of native speakers, it carries the island’s history and identity, yet in recent times has come perilously close to being lost. At the same time, a growing movement is working to revitalise the language – driven by people who care passionately about the importance of Jèrriais as a vital part of Jersey’s culture, heritage and inclusive identity. Ultimately, this film is a call to action. A rallying cry to a new generation of enthusiasts, learners and speakers to take up the challenge and ensure this precious language can thrive once again.
Chu dotchumentaithe raconte un peupl’ye – les cheins tch’ont pâlé et pâlent acouo l’Jèrriais, la vielle langue dé Jèrri. Héthité l’travèrs dé généthâtions d’pâleurs natifs, i’ porte l’histouaithe et l’identité d’l’Île, tout comme à ches drein v’là tch’a ristchi d’êt’ pèrdu. Au temps tchi couort, nou travâle atout la craîssance d’un mouvement pouor ravigoter la langue – m’né par des gens entchéthinnés d’l’împortance du Jèrriais comme eune êlément essentiel d’la tchultuthe, dé l’héthitage et d’l’identité încliûthive dé Jèrri. En tout, chu film appelle à l’action. Il êmoûque eune nouvelle généthâtion d’entchéthinnés, d’êtudgiants, et d’pâleurs à lus y’êcanchi à seule fîn qu’chutte langue précieûthe èrflieuthisse d’èrché.
We welcome producer Ben Spink and co-directors Annigna and Tom Kennedy to introduce the film with special guest Professor Mari Jones, University of Cambridge.
Guests will be in conversation with Bruce Labey after the screening.
