‘Mission’ Sets Edinburgh Debut With George MacKay and Rosy McEwen

George MacKay reunites with acclaimed Scottish filmmaker Paul Wright in the newly unveiled teaser for Mission, an emotionally charged British drama thriller set to make its World Premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival this month. Released by Blue Finch Film, the first footage offers an early glimpse at a film centred on one man’s desperate search for meaning, with MacKay joined by Blue Jean star Rosy McEwen in a story that promises to push its central character to emotional and physical extremes.

Written and directed by Wright, whose breakthrough feature For Those in Peril established him as one of Britain’s distinctive filmmaking voices, Mission follows Dylan, played by MacKay, who gives himself one week to truly live before he dies. According to the official synopsis, his pursuit of transcendence gradually gives way to increasingly dangerous acts as he searches for connection, purpose and redemption.

MacKay leads a cast that also includes Rosy McEwen, Emun Elliott and Emma Naomi. The actor has built a reputation for demanding dramatic roles across films including 1917 and Femme, while McEwen earned widespread acclaim for her leading performance in Blue Jean and recently appeared in Black Mirror. Together, they front Wright’s latest feature, which has been backed by BBC Film, Screen Scotland and Ffilm Cymru Wales with National Lottery funding.

The project marks Wright’s first feature since For Those in Peril, the BAFTA-nominated filmmaker’s 2013 debut, and continues his interest in intimate stories shaped by personal crisis. This time, the focus shifts to a man confronting his own mortality through a self-imposed mission that steadily blurs the line between self-discovery and self-destruction.

Produced by BAFTA-winning producers Kate Byers and Linn Waite for Early Day Films alongside Alex Thiele for 65 Wilding Films, the production also counts Marie-Elena Dyche and Lowri Roberts among its producers, with actress Maisie Williams serving as associate producer. Executive producers include Kristin Irving for BBC Film, Kieran Hannigan for Screen Scotland and Kiah Simpson for Ffilm Cymru Wales.

Filmed in Scotland during 2024, Mission is a co-production between Early Day Films and 65 Wilding Films, developed with Screen Scotland and BBC Film before securing production support from several UK funding bodies. Blue Finch Film is handling worldwide sales.

Mission will receive its World Premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 15 August 2026. Blue Finch Film has released the first teaser ahead of the festival debut, with worldwide sales continuing through the distributor.

Mission teaser trailer

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