Literature and film are essential for capturing the stories about ageing that we live by. These stories influence how we age, biologically, psychologically, socially; and they inform how we approach care, do research, and plan our lives on a changing planet. Coming of Age seeks to contribute to shifting how we think about ageing: growing up and growing old happen on the same continuum of time, and any stage in life brings challenges and gains in equal measure.
Dr Martina Zimmermann, Reader in Health Humanities and Health Sciences
07 September 2026
King's research inspires 'Coming of Age' feature film
The new film is inspired by research from The Sciences of Ageing and Culture of Youth (SAACY) and set for release in 2027.
Told over thirty years of car rides through a fast-changing London, Coming of Age follows a couple navigating love, parenthood, midlife crises and ageing parents, only to discover that getting older might just be the best part. The feature film explores ageing as a lifelong process to counter narratives that situate ageing as happening at the end of life and exclusively tied to notions of decline, disease and loss.
The story is influenced by research from SAACY, a project aiming to achieve attitudinal change to ageing in areas such as how we care, how we retire, and how we think about intergenerational relationships. SAACY is led by Dr Martina Zimmermann, Reader in Health Humanities and Health Sciences in the Department of English, who is also Executive Producer on the film.
The film is funded by a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship and produced by Lifelong Films Ltd.
It’s been a dream to make Coming of Age, a once in a lifetime project that is funny, heartfelt, and truly distinctive in form. The script takes us on a whirlwind journey through the highs and lows of a relationship with the self as well as with a partner, something that will resonate with audiences everywhere.
Emily Everdee, Producer, Lifelong Films Ltd.
SAACY’s research focuses on historically situated literary study, interviews with older people, input from charity partners and discussion with policymakers. Partners include Age UK, Brixton Windmill, Centre for Ageing Better, Flourishing Lives, Impact Initiatives Brighton and Hove, InCommon, Re-engage, The Pam Britton Trust for Dementia in Warwickshire, United for All Ages, and Warwick District Faiths Forum.
Coming of Age is co-written by Josh Appignanesi and Devorah Baum, after Zimmermann approached Appignanesi in 2021 to explore how SAACY research could be translated into a research-based film. SAACY engaged charities and older volunteers to offer feedback on the script and create materials for a discussion guide that will be released alongside the film.
Ageism remains one of the most accepted forms of discrimination in society, limiting our work, our health and how we are valued as we get older. Coming of Age offers a powerful counternarrative, showing ageing not as a fixed stage, but as a lifelong journey that touches every generation. By challenging negative assumptions about growing older and presenting ageing as a continuing process of growth, change and connection, the film reflects many of the principles at the heart of Ageing Better's work. We are proud to have supported this innovative partnership between researchers, filmmakers and the third sector and hope the film encourages audiences to rethink what ageing means, both for themselves and for future generations.
Harriet Bailiss, Co-head of the Age Without Limits campaign, Centre for Ageing Better
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Reader in Health Humanities and Health Sciences