I SWEAR (2026): FOMO Indi Film Fest

Writer and director Kirk Jones, best known for films such as WAKING NED DEVINE and NANNY MCPHEE, returned to deeply personal filmmaking with this biographical drama based on the life of Scottish Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson. Davidson grew up in the Scottish Borders living with severe Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition that causes involuntary vocal and physical tics. As a teenager he first came to public attention through the BBC documentary JOHN’S NOT MAD, which exposed both the reality of his condition and the cruelty he faced from a society that largely misunderstood it.

The film follows Davidson from those early years through adulthood, tracing how he gradually transformed a life marked by misunderstanding into one of public advocacy. Over time he became one of Britain’s most prominent voices raising awareness about Tourette syndrome, working with schools, medical professionals and families while helping others navigate the stigma he experienced firsthand.

I SWEAR is also a striking example of independent filmmaking in practice. Determined to tell the story without studio interference, Jones financed the film himself with the support of his producing partner and even took out a loan against his own home in order to secure the budget. The production was made on a modest scale with a small team, prioritizing authenticity and performance rather than spectacle. John Davidson himself served as an executive producer, ensuring the portrayal remained faithful to his lived experience.

Robert Aramayo anchors the film with an intensely committed performance that earned him the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, widely praised for capturing both the difficulty and the humanity of Davidson’s experience.