‘OBEX’ Brings 8 Bit Madness to Glasgow

Lightbulb Film Distribution has set a 9 March UK and Ireland release date for Albert Birney’s monochrome fantasy OBEX, with the film confirmed to make its UK premiere at the 2026 Glasgow Film Festival on 2 March.

Set in 1987 and shot in striking black and white, OBEX arrives with strong festival pedigree following its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. IndieWire memorably described the film as “Eraserhead meets The Legend of Zelda,” a comparison that captures both its surreal sensibility and its retro gaming inspiration.

The story follows Conor Marsh, a solitary man whose quiet existence revolves around his beloved dog, Sandy. When he begins playing OBEX, a supposedly state-of-the-art computer game, his grip on reality begins to shift. After Sandy mysteriously disappears, Conor is compelled to cross into the game’s digital realm in a bid to rescue her, blurring the boundary between lived experience and pixelated fantasy. What unfolds is a lo-fi adventure with a distinctly cautionary undertone about escapism and the seductive pull of screens.

Birney writes, directs and stars in the feature, reuniting with collaborator Pete Ohs, who co-wrote the screenplay. Birney previously co-directed Strawberry Mansion, which built a cult following for its tactile visuals and handcrafted world-building. OBEX appears to extend that approach, leaning into an intentionally DIY aesthetic that mirrors the early days of home computing.

The cast includes Callie Hernandez, whose credits include Jethica, alongside Frank Mosley. The film’s score was recorded by Josh Dibb, a founding member of experimental rock outfit Animal Collective, adding an offbeat musical texture to the dreamlike atmosphere.

Lightbulb’s Sales and Acquisitions Director Peter Thompson said the distributor was thrilled to launch the film in Glasgow, praising Birney’s nostalgic and personal filmmaking style and highlighting the project’s distinctive creative voice.

Glasgow Film Festival, now in its 22nd edition, runs from 25 February to 8 March 2026 and continues to cement its status as one of the UK’s most audience-driven events. With its accessible ethos and mix of premieres, retrospectives and genre strands including FrightFest, the festival offers a fitting platform for a film that bridges arthouse experimentation and retro adventure.

Following its Glasgow screening, OBEX will be available to stream or download across the UK and Ireland from 9 March, giving audiences the chance to step inside its peculiar digital labyrinth from the comfort of their own screens.

OBEX trailer