EXCLUSIVE: Queer sci-fi movie Chatlines has been picked up for UK theatrical distribution by Peccadillo Pictures.

The Black Mirror-esque indie pic starring Happy Valley’s Siobhan Finneran will be released in the UK next year.

Chatlines is co-directed by and stars Lloyd Eyre-Morgan (Departures) alongside Nico Mirallegro (My Mad Fat Diary). Morgan plays Jordan, a 30-something with terminal cancer in 2027 who spends his final days drifting between morphine dreams and digital distractions. On a whim he uses an old Chatroulette-style app and on the screen appears Danny (Mirallegro), a sarcastic, vibrant guy, also terminally ill, who swears it’s 2005. As days pass, the two men form a deep bond, opening up about their regrets, dreams and the loneliness of facing death too soon.

The movie also stars Laura Aikman and Faye McKeever. Neil Ely is co-director and Paul Mortlock is producer. Casting was done by Tom Payne and Lucy Allen.

Peccadillo is a UK distributor that specializes in LGBTQ+ arthouse including another Eyre-Morgan pic, Departures, and Night Stage. Last week, we revealed it had picked up provocative queer thriller Blue Film.

Punk Spirit Films produces Chatlines. The pic recently won the Audience Favourite Award at Manchester Film Festival and is set to close this year’s Manchester Scene Festival.