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= Chicken Film (2016) = Chicken is a 2016 British drama film directed by Joe Stephenson. It is based on the play of the same name by Freddie Machin

Plot
The film follows Richard, a fifteen-year-old boy with learning difficulties who lives in a shabby caravan with his older brother, Polly. Life for the siblings is harsh, with the engaging, nature-loving teenager yearning for stability while frequently finding himself on the wrong side of his brother's destructive, often violent moods.

Finding it easier to communicate with animals – none more so than his beloved hen, Fiona – Richard nevertheless forms a strong friendship with rebellious seventeen-year-old Annabel, whose family have recently acquired the farmland on which the brothers live. But growing conflict with the new landowners will lead to a situation that severely tests Richard's natural optimism, as a world of privilege collides with the brothers' precarious, marginalised existence.

Awards and Receptions
Chicken had its World Premiere at the 2015 Edinburgh International Film Festival. The film had it’s International Premiere in competition at the 2015 Busan International Film Festival. It won Grand Jury Award at its US Premiere at the New Hampshire International Film Festival. At the 2016 Giffoni International Film Festival it won 2nd Prize. It screened at Cine A La Vista International Film Festival 2016 where it won Best Film. Other festivals include Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Schlingel International Film Festival and Dublin International Film Festival where Scott Chamber’s performance as Richard got a Special Critics Circle mention.

The film was shortlisted for Best Director (Joe Stephenson) and Best Newcomer (Scott Chambers) by the British Independent Film Awards.

It had a limited theatrical release in the UK in May 2016, praised as ‘the sort of British indie which restores faith in cinema’ (CineVue) and received 4 stars from Mark Kermode and Empire Magazine.

It was then acquired by MUBI UK, and had its British TV Premiere on FilmFour April 2017. It will be released on DVD and Bluray in the UK on September 18th 2017.