Being in charge of one dysfunctional child is often hard enough, being in charge of several is even harder. Destin Cretton’s Short Term 12 captures this process wondrously. Whether it makes you cry at one scene, or to burst out laughing at the next. This film has it all.

Grace (Brie Larson) is a serious young woman in her 20’s, a supervisor at a foster-care facility for at-risk teenagers. She’s dedicated to her job, and also the kids in her charge – so much so that her relationship with long-term partner and co-worker Mason (John Gallagher Jr.) appears to be a secondary concern. Grace presents herself as a tough, no non-sense, yet compassionate figure, but when troubled Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever) comes into care she starts to see her own problems reflected back at herself as buried secrets from the past being to emerge.

Brie Larson, best known for minor roles in 21 Jump Street, and in this month’s Don Jon, performs perfectly, so perfect in fact that an Oscar nomination buzz is already starting to surround it. We won’t take any magic away from the film, but Brie jumps straight into the deeply challenging central role – dealing with everybody else’s problems as well as all of her own. It’s a roller-coaster experience that is heartfelt, emotional and simply tremendous.

Destin Daniel Cretton’s striking first feature is actually based off his own experiences, spending two years in a similar facility. Filmed with handheld cameras throughout makes it feel all the more personal, crafting what is a rare independent gem, and one of the best of the 57th London Film Festival.