The Participants

A dystopian, sci-fi influenced experimental fable with a strong anti-bullying message set in an eerie, abandoned world where a gang of forgotten children plays endlessly repetitive games to gain the favour of Mikhail, the self-proclaimed leader of this strange and isolated society. In an eerie, abandoned world where no adults are to be found, a gang of forgotten children plays games to gain the favour of Mikhail, the self-proclaimed leader of this strange and isolated society. Rebelling against Mikhail's tyrannical bullying, Emilia, Boris and the bird-like shaman boy Josef devise a plan to escape, twisting the rules to beat Mikhail at his own game.

Director: Paul Rowley