Director / Writer: Andrea Arnold
Starring: Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski, Nykiya Adams, Jasmine Jobson, Jason Buda, James Nelson-Joyce
Production Company: Ad Vitam Production, Arte France Cinéma, House Productions
Kent Locations Used: Gravesend, Dartford, Leysdown-on-Sea, Kingsferry Bridge, Ashford

In a not-too-distant future, 11-year-old Bailey lives with her absent father, Bug and her brother Hunter on a Kent housing estate. One day when Bailey meets a mysterious stranger called Bird, all their lives are changed forever.

Written and directed by Andrea Arnold (Wasp (2003), American Honey), Bird (2024) stars Nykiya Adams in her debut role as Bailey, Barry Keoghan (Saltburn, The Banshees of Inisherin) as Bug, Franz Rogowski (Passages, Transit) as the titular Bird, Jason Buda in his first role as Hunter, James Nelson-Joyce (The Nest, Guy Ritchie’s the Covenant) as Skate and Jasmine Jobson (Top Boy (2019-2022), Surge) as Peyton.

The film was shot almost entirely in Kent, particularly in Gravesend and Northfleet. Locations featured include The Hive estate which doubled for Tyler House where Bird grew up, Custom House where Bailey and her family live, Gravesend Civic Centre where Bug and Kayleigh (Frankie Box) get married, Riverside Leisure Area and on various streets, including the High Street. Filming also took place in various private residence doubling for Bailey’s mother Peyton’s (Jasmine Jobson) home, the house where Hunter (Jason Buda) and his friends attack a man and Hunter’s girlfriend Moon’s house. The caged bridge by St Botolph Church and the zig-zag bridge on South Kent Avenue also appear in the film.

Filming also took place on several streets and fields in Bean in Dartford and the Merry Chest Café, where Bug and Kayleigh hold their wedding reception. In Leysdown-on-Sea, locations featured include a private residence where Bird’s dad lives, the beach and the promenade. The Kingsferry Bridge features in a brief driving scene as the cast travel to Leysdown on the bus. Filming also took place at Ashford International train station and a nearby underpass.

The maritime town of Gravesend is a popular filming location, due to its picturesque setting and rich history, including an unspoilt promenade, high street and two shopping centres. The Riverside Leisure Area lies alongside the River Thames near Gravesend town centre. It encompasses the Fort Gardens, Gordon Lake, promenade, Café, Rowing and Sailing clubs and the Canal Basin Marina. Other productions that have filmed here include Bull (2021), Big Boys Don’t Cry (2020) and Top Boy (2019-2022).

Located on the border of Kent, Dartford is a historic market town which boasts one of the largest shopping centres in Europe. Perhaps best known for the Dartford Crossing and Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford’s combination of industrial and historical landscapes makes for a popular filming location. Previous productions that have filmed in Dartford include Gangs of London (2020-2022), The Escape (2018) and Andrea Arnold’s Wasp (2003).

Leysdown is situated at the Eastern end of the Isle of Sheppey. With access to a sandy beach and a slew of arcades, it is one of the largest holiday parks in Kent. Series 26 of Silent Witness (2023), Kiss Me First (2018) and End of the F***ing World (2017) filmed in Leysdown.

The Kingsferry Bridge is a combined road and railway bridge that links the Isle of Sheppey to mainland Kent. The bridge isn’t as busy as it once was since the New Sheppey Crossing was built next to it, and therefore can potentially be closed for filming, as was done for Too Close (2021) and The Beekeeper (2024).

Situated 1.5 miles from the centre of Ashford, Ashford train station links the town to London via a high speed service. Previously it was a boarding point for Eurostar services to France and Belgium.

Bird (2024) will be released in UK cinemas on Friday 8^th November 2024 and will then be available to stream on Mubi.

For more information about Kent’s Filming History please visit our Movie Map.