The feature film Littermates marks the directorial debut of filmmakers Scott Tinkham and Michael Woloson, who wrote, directed, and produced it. Littermates won the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Manchester Film Festival. Then at its North American premiere at the Dances with Films (DWF: LA) festival on June 21, 2026, it won the Narrative Feature Audience Award.
Set against the backdrop of an unnamed war, Chester (Oliver Woolf) lives on a lovely and spacious property in the English countryside. There appear to be several amenities, yet as peaceful as it looks, there is no doubt unrest exists beyond the gates. The lifestyle Chester has been living, as seen in scenes viewed at the beginning of the film, changes as he receives disoriented survivors at two different times.
Chester first receives Liam (Joey Bader), a young man who struggles to speak. He kindly offers refuge and a form of therapy to communicate again. Liam still seems to have regressed to a childlike state, accepting the care the stranger provides. A couple of scenes could make the audience question his motives. Shortly after, Mel (Kaylee McGregor) arrives with a similar look of trauma. Chester provides Mel with the care and support he gave Liam, but the young man begins to question his actions.
The three main characters excel in their roles as a caretaker/concerned citizen (Woolf) and survivors (Bader/McGregor), escaping unnamed, traumatized areas. Liam displays the most trauma, not speaking but understanding when spoken to. Mel appears more alert and capable upon arrival and soon shows more strength and resistance than the two men anticipated. These personalities make for an interesting script, while occasionally leaning into absurdity for humor.
When Mel presses for more than what she’s been offered in a war, the newly formed family dynamics start to unravel.
Executive Producer: Haley Nicole Johnson (Obsession), Joey Bader, Al Baker, Jake Kuhn and Noah Stratton-Twine. Producers: Woolf and McGregor.
The sneak peek in Austin, TX this month will be followed by a theatrical release on November 6, 2026. The film will open in over thirty Alamo Drafthouse locations nationwide.
Source: Fantastic Fest, Alamo Exclusives