Zero Intention Of Living Quietly: On the red carpet with the creatives and subjects at London Film Festival 2026

Directed by Edward Lovelace, Zero Intention of Living Quietly is a powerful documentary that captures the resilience, life and advocacy of the British actor and campaigner Adam Pearson. This uplifting project shares Pearson’s love of cinema and his own journey to a career on screen.

Pearson and his twin brother were born with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). Both have been affected by the rare genetic condition, with Pearson suffering facial tumours that developed over the years. The documentary candidly explores the stigma and social exclusion that he struggled with growing up, and how he built a career in the film industry following a lack of disabled representation.

As Pearson grapples with stepping into the limelight, the narrative takes a heartwarming turn when he meets Ellie Jim, a young girl diagnosed with the same condition as himself. The pair form a formidable friendship, and viewers see how Pearson helps Ellie navigate the early stages of her genetic disorder while guiding her steps into the creative industry she dreams of joining too.

Lovelace pieces together intimate home footage, archived TV appearances and behind-the-scenes footage to create an authentic portrayal. The Upcoming were lucky to speak to him about why he felt it was the right time to make this documentary, how the collaboration with Pearson evolved, and what he hopes viewers will take away from watching the feature.

We also spoke to Pearson about his own journey into the creative industry, the advice he wanted to pass on to others and the partnership he forged with Lovelace after meeting him a few years earlier that made this vulnerable and captivating documentary possible.

Jim chatted about how wonderful it was to have Pearson mentor her and some of the amazing and memorable moments they had on set. She also spoke about her own diagnosis and what she hoped audiences would enjoy and learn from watching this documentary.

Ezelle Alblas

Read more reviews from our London Film Festival 2026 coverage here.

For further information about the event, visit the London Film Festival website here.