Omid Djalili's next film really chimes...
Comic stars in Simon Callow's About A Bell
Omid Djalili has made a new film in which he plays a Syrian refugee upset by the demolition of a former parish church.
About A Bell has been directed by actor Simon Callow and is to be offered for international sale at the forthcoming Cannes film festival.
The cast also includes Eleanor Worthington-Cox as a young librarian who helps him research local history and save the church bell, as well as Christopher Eccleston, Nigel Havers and Roger Allam.
The plot takes a turn when Djalili and Worthington-Cox’s characters accidentally injure a security guard and find themselves on the run from the police. However, our accidental heroes’ fate is sealed by a kindly police sergeant who is moved by their mission…
Now in post-production, the film was written by Derek Lister and is produced by Jasper Warry of Wales-based Hello Deer Studios, who told Screen Daily: ‘I think this film will resonate with an international audience who are desperate to be entertained, but also to be reminded right now of our shared and innate decency and humanity.’
Djalili, who is also a co-producer of the film, added: ‘There is no doubt about the international appeal of About A Bell as it deeply resonates on so many levels regarding who we are as a species.’
It is Callow’s second feature as director, after 1991’s The Ballad Of The Sad Café.
Kaleidoscope Film Distribution has picked up the film for international sales.
Published: 7 May 2026
Andrew Maxwell plays Riyadh Comedy Festival
Andrew Maxwell has become the latest British-based…
8/10/2025
'Riyadh comics must speak out against human rights abuses'
Campaign group Human Rights Watch has called on comedians…
24/09/2025
Radio 4 has announced a new slate of comedy commissions…
8/09/2025
Jimmy Carr, Omid Djalili, Jack Whitehall and Jimeoin…
4/09/2025
Omid Djalili to take a psychic look at history
Omid Djalili is to front a new Sky show that uses a…
25/01/2025
Omid Djalili backs new comedy talent hunt
Aspiring comedians could land a management contract…
21/11/2024
Omid Djalili reveals more details of his sitcom pilot
Omid Djalili has revealed more details of the sitcom…
14/08/2024
Omid Djalili shoots a new comedy pilot
Omid Djalili is shooting a comedy pilot with Tom Goodman-Hill,…
10/07/2024
Omid Djalili sets up his own production company
Omid Djalili has set up a new production company, with…
18/01/2024
Omid Djalili gig axed over 'personal threats'
Anglo-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili has had to pull…
19/10/2023
Omid Djalili done for speeding... again
Omid Djalili is more than £1,000 out of…
17/06/2023
Omid Djalili: I was cut from Notting Hill for being too brown
Omid Djalili has revealed he was cut from Notting Hill…
8/09/2022
Products
Book (2014)
Hopeless, by Omid Djalili
DVD (2012)
Omid Djalili: Tour Of Duty
DVD (2011)
Barking
DVD (2011)
Big Fat Gypsy Gangster
DVD (2010)
The Infidel
DVD (2009)
Omid Djalili: Live In London
DVD (2009)
Omid Djalili Show Series 2
DVD (2007)
Omid Djalili: No Agenda
DVD (2006)
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Past Shows
Edinburgh Fringe 2002
Omid Djalili at the Queen's Hall
Omid Djalili: Behind Enemy Lines Perrier nominee
Agent
Bound & Gagged Comedy
Contact by email
Office: 020 8450 4100