In a cinematic landscape often dominated by spectacle, LARGO emerges as a short film of quiet power and emotional urgency. Written and directed by Salvatore Scarpa and Max Burgoyne-Moore, and produced under the Oscar®-winning Slick Films banner, LARGO is already carving out its place as one of the most talked-about shorts of the awards season. Following its world premiere at Indy Shorts and its Los Angeles debut at HollyShorts, both Oscar®-qualifying festivals, the film is officially Oscar® qualified and poised as a serious contender.

At the heart of LARGO is the story of Musa (a revelatory debut by Zack Elsokari), a 10-year-old Syrian refugee living in foster care in the UK. Driven by an aching need to reconnect with his missing parents, Musa attempts to build a boat with the impossible dream of sailing home. His childlike determination serves as the emotional spine of the film, but LARGO does more than tell one boy’s story, it forces a community, and by extension its audience, to examine its own role in the refugee crisis.

The film achieves a remarkable balance: it never slips into sentimentality, nor does it shy away from the harsher realities of displacement and alienation. The script is sharp yet compassionate, and through Musa’s eyes, the audience is asked to confront both the fragility and resilience of hope.

Scarpa and Burgoyne-Moore’s direction is supported by a powerhouse creative team. Rick Joaquim’s cinematography is lyrical yet grounded, capturing both the starkness of Musa’s environment and the glimmers of imagination that fuel his quest. Mohamed El Manasterly, a three-time Emmy® winner, cuts the story with precision, ensuring the pacing mirrors Musa’s shifting emotions. Stuart Hancock’s original score adds depth without overwhelming, while Roy Taylor’s stunt coordination underscores the tangible danger of Musa’s endeavor.

The supporting cast adds further gravitas. Tamsin Greig and Kevin McNally bring nuance and complexity to their roles, embodying a community grappling with moral responsibility. Yet it is young Elsokari who carries the film—his performance is raw, unflinching, and heartbreakingly authentic.

What distinguishes LARGO is not only its artistry but also its impact strategy. Supported by the Refugee Council and Good Chance Theatre, the filmmakers ensured displaced voices were embedded into the production itself, with paid apprenticeships across departments. Beyond festivals, the film is set to enter UK schools during Refugee Week, pairing screenings with interactive workshops to spark conversation and accountability among younger generations.

Executive producers Chris Overton and Rebecca Harris-Turner, both Oscar® winners, alongside Mustapha Wehbi and Tony Schlesinger, lend further credibility to the project. But more than accolades, LARGO carries with it a mission: to cut through echo chambers, humanise the refugee experience, and encourage empathy where it is too often lacking.

In a season where many shorts will fade into the noise, LARGO feels destined to endure. It is not simply a film, but a call to conscience, one that lingers long after the screen fades to black.

Verdict: ★★★★★
A tender, unflinching portrait of loss and resilience, LARGO is both cinema and social responsibility at its most vital.