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The Albanian Librarian

Log-Line:

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In present-day Glasgow, an earnest paralegal and a displaced tourist team up as an unlikely couple in a daring test of the law that will either transform their lives or get them respectively disbarred and deported.

Synopsis:

In association with

Present day Glasgow. Albanian tourist ARTUR KOÇI collides with AILSA SALCOATS. Ailsa, a single woman desperate for a child, is a paralegal in her Glasgow law firm’s immigration department. Artur, a librarian, should be back in his homeland, but instead, presently finds himself as a night-time cleaner in Ailsa's office block.


Fate has dealt Artur a dangerous hand - he learns that he’s a target in a Kanun... one of the blood feuds that blights his country.  He cannot return safely, and he can’t claim asylum.  He’s now a man ‘trapped’ in Glasgow, with no status.  Effectively, he doesn’t exist!


An unlikely friendship is forged.  Moved by his predicament as a jeopardy-ridden tourist who cannot return home, Ailsa hatches an ingenious but questionably legal plan to help Artur get his indefinite residency.  Artur's role in this quid-pro-quo is simple... he merely has to get Ailsa pregnant!


The illicit collaborators become embroiled in the process of artificial conception… Artur is stocked up with syringes and sterile cups, while Ailsa is up to her elbows in ovulation and pregnancy testing kits. 


Emotions see-saw as Ailsa juggles domestic expediency with professional ethics; while Artur struggles to evade detection as an illegal worker.


Despite the cultural divide, the mismatched pair begin to sense there may be more to their alliance than mere procreation… but their budding romance is just one positive pregnancy test away from being over.

(Copyright © Michael Normand, 2025)

See full Synopsis

Screenplay Evaluations

'The Albanian Librarian is a highly original black comedy with a social conscience and a huge heart' - Industrial Scripts

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 'In terms of originality, the narrative does have some tonal similarities to films such as “Green Card", but 'The Albanian Librarian' does its own take' - Slated

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'The script has truly enthralling character arcs and backstories and would make a fascinating indie drama if given the chance to shine' - The Black List

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'A strong premise & concept for a romantic dramedy -  it fuses lovable odd-couple sensibilities with a commentary on relevant contemporary themes such as sanctuary and migration' - Slated

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The Albanian Librarian is positioned to be a hilarious, thoughtful, and heartwarming addition to the romantic comedy and dramedy genres' - Slated

See full Script Coverage Summary

Cast Attachments (to date):
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Attached* as 'Ailsa' -

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SOPHIE KENNEDY CLARK

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‘Sorority’, ‘The Danish Girl’, ‘Philomena’, ‘The Cry’

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Unrestricted View Film Festival: Winner, Best Actress, 2021

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BAFTA Scotland Winner: Best Actress, 2014

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Attached* as 'Artur' -

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BESIR ZECIRI

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'The Girl with the Needle'

'Outlaw', 'The Danish Woman'

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Berlin Film Festival:

2025 Shooting Star Winner

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Danish Film Awards: Winner, Best

Actor 2022

Attached* as 'Szolt' -

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NIK XHELILAJ

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‘The Albanian,  ‘Seven Lucky Gods’,

‘Direnis Karatay’


PriFest: Winner: Best Actor, 2021

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Attached* as 'McTear' -

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JOHN HANNAH

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* officially attached & confirmed via agent, subject to availability and final terms

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Creative Statement:

The creative & commercial elements, along with independent/external evaluations of ‘The Albanian Librarian’ now point to a new, highly contemporary British feature that will appeal to audiences looking for an intelligent, entertaining film with a universal message that will linger... an idiosyncratic film that hits that sweet spot between comedy & social commentary.

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In its essence, it’s a story about the lengths two incongruous characters... one Albanian, the other, British... will go to if sufficiently desperate and driven; but there are a number of elements that distinguish this film from the mere will-they-won’t-they. It’s a film about collisions and contradictions. Ailsa & Artur come from worlds apart, yet her immigration paralegal and his troubled tourist couldn’t be a more seamless fit. The undercurrents of shared goals and obstacles are obvious - Ailsa’s biological imperative will echo with many women, while Artur’s story taps into one of the most emotive and controversial societal issues of our day. This contemporary backdrop provides a canvas against which the consequent high-stakes drama is played out.

Mood Board:

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Target Audience/s:

⦿  Urban Adults 25-60

⦿  Particularly urban (& rural) women

⦿ a good chunk of the Richard Curtis fan-base who are looking for a Curtisesque film with some social realism & contemporary edge

⦿  Fans of mainstream with arthouse sensibilities

⦿  A lot of Albanians in... UK, Europe, US, Scandinavia (Denmark) & The Balkans 

⦿  Rom-com fans

⦿  Fans of Besir Zeciri

Comparables:

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Team (to date):

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Co-Producer:

OLWYN SILVESTER

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Co-Producer:

DRITAN HUQI

Writer/Director:

MICHAEL NORMAND

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Line Producer:

JAMES RYAN

Budget:

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Finance Plan:

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(1) via ANCC/Albania - Intended/pending.  Non-Recoupable
(2) via BFI/AVEC - Intended/pending.  Non-recoupable
(3) 
via Film Nouveau - £150k secured, £130k sought.  Recoupable
(4) via Screen Scotland - Intended/pending.  Recoupable

Summary:

â—‰  Contemporary Feature - Theatrical/TV/Streamer

â—‰ Oct 2025 draft: 92 pgs

â—‰ Certified British-Qualifying (BFI)

â—‰ Budget £1m

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