“LARGO,” the new short film from Academy Award®-winning Slick Films, is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, a cinematic voyage that blends heartbreak, resilience, and compassion into a profoundly human experience. Written and directed by Salvatore Scarpa and Max Burgoyne-Moore, the film has already earned its Oscar® qualification after debuting at the HollyShorts Film Festival in Los Angeles and the Indy Shorts International Film Festival, positioning itself as one of the most affecting short contenders this awards season.

At the heart of LARGO is Musa, a ten-year-old Syrian refugee living in foster care in the UK, played with stunning authenticity by newcomer Zack Elsokari. Musa’s determination to build a makeshift boat and “sail home” to find his missing parents forms the emotional core of the film. His journey — both literal and symbolic, becomes a mirror for a community grappling with its own moral compass amid economic and social despair.

Scarpa and Burgoyne-Moore’s direction is tender yet unflinching. Through Musa’s innocent yet determined gaze, the filmmakers strip away politics and prejudice to expose the raw humanity of displacement. Their choice to tell this story through a child’s perspective adds both vulnerability and universality, reminding audiences that behind every news headline is a child searching for home.

Elsokari’s breakout performance is nothing short of remarkable, his quiet strength and emotional depth ground the film with a rare authenticity. He is supported beautifully by veteran actors Tamsin Greig and Kevin McNally, who bring nuance and empathy to their roles as members of a community torn between fear and compassion.

Visually, LARGO is breathtaking. Rick Joaquim’s award-winning cinematography captures the contrast between the bleak greys of an English coastal town and the luminous hope in Musa’s eyes. Mohamed El Manasterly’s editing (a three-time Emmy® winner) gives the film its rhythm — meditative, yet charged with emotional urgency — while Stuart Hancock’s original score adds a haunting resonance that lingers long after the credits roll.

Behind the camera, LARGO’s commitment to authenticity elevates it beyond art and into advocacy. The filmmakers collaborated closely with the Refugee Council and launched an apprenticeship program with Good Chance Theatre, employing displaced creatives in every production department. It’s a rare example of a film that practices the empathy it preaches.

Producers Rachid Sabitri and Charles Meunier have also designed a bold impact strategy: in 2025, LARGO will tour UK schools during Refugee Week, pairing screenings with interactive workshops to foster honest dialogue about belonging, identity, and responsibility. This educational outreach ensures the film’s message extends far beyond the festival circuit.

Executive produced by Oscar® winners Chris Overton and Rebecca Harris-Turner, alongside Mustapha Wehbi and Tony Schlesinger, LARGO is a striking blend of artistry and activism, a reminder of cinema’s power not only to move audiences but to move them toward change.

In a season often dominated by spectacle, LARGO stands out for its simplicity and soul. It’s not just a story about refugees, it’s a story about humanity, loss, and the fragile hope that connects us all.

Verdict: ★★★★★
A stirring, essential short that captures the refugee crisis with tenderness and truth — “LARGO” is poised to make waves this awards season.