Morgellons disease is a medical mystery. Although doctors have no explanation for the condition, thousands of sufferers claim to experience a persistent crawling sensation under their skin, thin fibres growing out of their body and a host of other symptoms. Penny Lane dives head first into the online community of Morgellons patients re-working candid home-videos uploaded to YouTube by three women who are afflicted with the disease. The Pain of Others explores the slippery ideas around self-diagnosis, empathy and online support networks but Lane’s original and unsettling film refuses to offer answers to any of its own questions.

+ Q&A with director Penny Lane, hosted by Lauren Wissot (critic and programmer)

A festival party will follow in the BFI Blue Room, from 7pm – 11pm.

“Part of Penny Lane: In Focus Penny Lane has been making innovative nonfiction films for over a decade, including three features – The Pain of Others, NUTS! and Our Nixon – and about a dozen short films. She has recently been honoured with a Vanguard Award by the San Francisco Documentary Festival, a Breakthrough Award by Chicken & Egg, and a Special Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival. And yes, Penny Lane is her real name.”