Filmed between 2016 and 2018, The Felling film is a first-hand account of an extraordinary and shocking tale, where Sheffield citizens from 18-90 years old rise up and become modern day heroes by putting their bodies on the line to stop the destruction of their city’s healthy street trees and help save the Planet from climate Armageddon.

A true David-and-Goliath story about how a community of determined residents in one of Europe’s greenest cities, battled peacefully with a powerful city council, a giant multinational corporation and the police that come to chop down their beloved street trees in the middle of the night, as part of a massive £2.2 billion private contract to maintain their city’s highways.

When an injunction threatens peaceful protesters with bankruptcy and imprisonment, ordinary citizens are forced to ask themselves the crucial question: How far am I prepared to go to save a tree?

“A Stirring and Impressive Film” Marc Lewis, New Internationalist

“Blood Boiling” Cath Clarke, The Guardian

“The Felling is a mighty message about the true power of ordinary people standing up, together.” The Showroom, Sheffield

“Brilliantly edited together” Phil Slatter, Fan Carpet

“Will leave you incredulous” Matt Looker, Total Film

Sheffield Film Festival 2026

Sheffield Film Festival is Showroom Cinema’s annual celebration of the city’s and the surrounding region’s film heritage, and wider film culture.

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Director Eve Wood, Jacqui Bellamy
Year 2022
Duration 1h 52m
Language English