Sam and Callum get lost on their way to film a wedding and end up having an existential crisis as they try and get back on track. Will they make it to the wedding in time?
An elderly couple find their quiet life unsettled by their new neighbours’ disturbing allegations.
A dark psychological thriller about elder abuse and power, from Sundance-winning Deadbeat Studios (The Devil’s Harmony) and directing duo Nott Brothers.
‘Nuisance’ stars Eileen Davies (The End of the F***ing World, Sightseers), Hugh Ross (Outlander), Marcello Walton (Mission Impossible: 7) and Natasha Atherton (Get Even).
One night and one day in the life of Joe, a musician in his mid 30s who is artistically and personally stagnating, feeling like everyone's overtaking him. After a failed gig he gets drunk and loses his keys. Being too broke for a locksmith he goes on a hung-over-one-day-journey in search for his keys, finding several encounters that challenge his expectations of art and life as a whole.
Family fault lines are exposed when the sudden death of a beloved wife and mother splinters a close-knit religious family. A quiet son on the threshold between childhood and adolescence, must hold together the fraying threads of his family, before an emotionally charged misunderstanding sees him take the fall as a result of an existential standoff between his grieving father and a silent God.
Every time it rains, Tongtong has to wait for a long time after school for her mom to pick her up. During this time, her little yellow umbrella would lead her to search for her mom's whereabouts. But this day, her mom never showed up. Where could she have gone?
Young Elizabeth, daughter of shamed Anne Boleyn, is cast aside from Henry VIII and his court. She must stumble through life, publicly shamed, without friends or childhood companions. At some point, Elizabeth must choose - shy away or embrace her potential as a women in a man's world.
Promised" is a poignant drama designed to raise awareness about human trafficking through the story of Seila and Chantrea, two Cambodian girls ensnared in its brutal reality. The film navigates between their hopeful beginnings and the subsequent nightmare, focusing on Seila's struggle as a pregnant teenager in a foreign hospital, her child cruelly snatched away at birth. Flashbacks reveal their journey from a Cambodian village into the hands of traffickers, promising easy work abroad but delivering only separation and suffering. Seila's resilience emerges as she seeks help, leading to her eventual escape with assistance from A21 and the Cambodian government. Though she secures justice against her trafficker, the search for her child and Chantrea's fate underscores the ongoing battle against trafficking. "Promised" aims to shed light on this dark issue, emphasizing the power of awareness, advocacy, and the indomitable human spirit.
Powerful executive who has an interesting way to relieve stress through creative role-play.
One day, two young students in Hiroshima, Mocchi and Ayaka, meet an odd American tourist named John and give him a tour of their city. At the same time, a mysterious light appears in the night sky above Hiroshima, and a prominent researcher arrives to pursue the mystery. Meanwhile, a schoolboy called Yuya dreams of a girl who takes him to see the Hiroshima of old. Mysterious stories from Hiroshima's past and present intersect and eventually become one. An old, long forgotten song for peace is heard once again.
Follow Eddie on his daring journey to live off the grid, constructing a sustainable home on acres of land with materials salvaged from the local tip. His idyllic dream shatters when the corrupt council unveils plans to build a wind farm on his property. Refusing to surrender his land and way of life, Eddie becomes the target of the council's relentless efforts to evict him, leading to a fierce legal battle and his imprisonment. As Eddie fights for his freedom and the right to live on his own terms, he uncovers the true power of resilience, community, and standing up against injustice in this gripping documentary.
Four people are about to undergo a dangerous experiment. The rules are simple: you will have to sleep if you want to live.
A mother-and-son story. This film tenderly explores the relationship between a woman and her son. During its three-minute duration, the screenplay begins with the woman and her teenaged son sitting together in their garden, having a drink. The mother then proceeds to ask her boy what kind of superpower would he like to have, leading to a light-hearted conversation, until she reveals what power she would want. The film then swiftly moves forward in time, with the now grown-up son performing a special act for his mother, along with his son.
In a dream-like reality, June embarks on her daily routine whilst preparing for her husbands arrival home, only to discover a heartbreaking truth about her life.
Nasko is left at his grandma’s Fany for the summer, while his parents are working in Spain. Nasko unites with the kids from the neighbourhood - Petyo and Vesi - against their scary neighbour with a scar on his face - Dachko. After unsuccessful attempt to ambush Dachko they lose the slingshot they have borrowed from grandad Mitko. Determined to get it back, Nasko gets everyone involved in an uncomfortable situation that unravels the mystery of the odd man Dachko.
Based on a true story of a bright young man whose life is gradually consumed by his obsession with Fixed Odds Betting Terminals.
Terminal is an uncompromising look at the harms of long term gambling and is an intimate and sometimes darkly comic portrait of addiction and how it dominates and destroys someone's personal and professional life.
With nothing but day-time television, the daily crossword and each other for company, we begin to see the pressure on their relationship. In a puzzling narrative, told through flashback and “crossword” format dialogue, we explore the intricacies and difficulties of a lifelong commitment. Give a voice to the voiceless through poetry and prose. And highlight the struggle of loneliness for the already vulnerable.
The final farewell of Fox's famous LA bar in 1990s East London. A staple of the Caribbean community, caught in the crossfire of a rapidly gentrifying city.
Father Donaghy and Father Gill drink and play cards late into the night. As they gamble with their duties, each turn of the card reveals their hidden sins and desires.
As Gill’s debts mount, Donaghy uncovers Gill’s past entanglement with the beguiling, and recently deceased, "Madam" Mary. We witness Gill’s forbidden attraction to Mary and Donaghy’s own cardinal liaison. Tensions rise as the cost of their relationships with Mary is unveiled.
In a final act of absolution—or power—Donaghy erases Gill’s debts, leaving both of them to confront their guilt, grief, and love.
Narrated by Welsh Naturalist Iolo Williams.
The wild landscapes of Wales stand as silent witnesses to an unfolding ecological emergency: over a sixth of the Wales’ native plants face extinction, many teetering on the brink. Their survival rests on the shoulders of one botanist, Dr. Kevin McGinn, and his determined team.
"The Red List" chronicles Kevin’s year-long quest to collect seeds from 25 endangered species in a race against time. Set against the backdrop of the hottest year on record, this documentary reveals the immense challenges he faces: navigating red tape, battling the relentless impacts of climate change, and enduring the personal losses of key team members. With every seed collected, Kevin and his team carry the fragile hope of safeguarding Wales’ biodiversity for generations to come.
Told with urgency and heart, "The Red List" is an unflinching exploration of the hidden struggles of conservation in a time of crisis—and a powerful reminder that even the smallest efforts can help shape a more resilient future.
The Doorbell tells the story of two neighbours through the perspective of a doorbell camera.
Through observing his interactions day to day, Niamh believes that her father’s reality is one of deep frustration and longing for connection, having lost his voice after suffering a massive stroke
10 years ago.
Niamh misses the memories she has of her dad and feels sad about his place in the world. She questions whether she should embark on a journey to help her father reclaim the essence of who he once was, or accept that it’s futile to try?
Military veteran, James (Andrew Lee Potts) has difficulty adapting to civilian life, on his return from service. With the world now very different, James feels lost and spends his days working his menial job and hiding his PTSD from those around him, specifically his wife Sarah.
As the dark memories engulf him, James reluctantly seeks help from psychologist, Dr Simon Kirby (Michael Mckell).
However, as Kirby battles his own demons, will he be able to give James the help he so desperately needs?
In Hanoi, Vietnam, tattoo artist Tran Ngoc specializes in the rare and challenging art of tattooing over scars. Despite the social stigma surrounding tattoos in Vietnam, Ngoc empowers her clients, including breast cancer survivors and women with self-harm scars, to reclaim their bodies, demonstrating that her work is a profound act of compassion and resilience.
EXPERIMENTAL/POETIC Winner 2024
STAR QUEST is a unique fusion of retro sci-fi and poignant human drama.
We enter the final days of CONOR (Patrick Bergin), a once world-famous actor, now wasting away in a hospital bed. Jaded, rejected, he retreats into lost fantasies of former greatness, seeking solace in reliving the adventures of his beloved role - CAPTAIN CHUCK. Amidst the bleakness of hospital life, a small chance for redemption appears in the form of SEAN (Charlie Duffy), a young terminally ill boy.
As Conor opens himself up to this boy, he discovers that sometimes, heroes are not just born on the screen, but also in the hearts of those who dare to dream.
Beneath the shimmering veneer of the retro sci-fi fantasies lies a moving narrative of hope, friendship, and acceptance. Emotional, cinematic, and rooted in character, 'STAR QUEST’ is a tribute to the enduring legacy of classic science fiction, and a testament to the extraordinary power of the human heart.
A slave sold to a cotton factory by his own brother, with the help of the dead, returned for revenge with silent rage.
A woman living in her car on hospital grounds during the coldest Scottish winter in years ignores the growing concerns of others - but she must come to accept what is holding her there or face the inevitable consequences.
In a world where the future is for sale, a grieving man visits a mysterious Time Spa, seeking a glimpse of his future. However, he discovers that some truths are more challenging than the past he's desperate to escape.
Cass and Ezra look back on their failed relationship and the incompatibility of Cass’s tendency to write about her life with Ezra’s unwillingness to simply exist as a character in her scripts.
BREAKIN’ BROTHERS is about crossing physical, mental and emotional borders. Brothers Cristian & Cosmo arrive in a seaside town in Ireland from the Dominican Republic in 2014, and find their street dance skills vital to acceptance in a new homeland
A little dog named Rosy is the mascot of Marina Grande, a small port area in Sorrento. Today, Rosy turns 10 and helps her 60-year-old male owner work at the bar, socializing with the customers and watching the fishermen and the sea. Rosy has a past as a fisherman with her previous owner and she's the link between the merchants and residents of Marina di Sorrento.
An immigrant unable to speak the local language, Mya works as a dishwasher in a busy restaurant. One night at the end of her shift, Mya finds a homeless man in need of medical assistance behind the restaurant. After managing to get help for the homeless man, a miscommunication with a police officer leads to a series of intense situations.
The entire film is spoken in an unintelligible language.
Set over two time periods, the story is a mix of English and Scots Gaelic and follows Isla; a young girl who returns to the Scottish Highlands with her father, leading her to the mystery of the legendary and mythical being, The Selkie.
A solitary old man, estranged from his family, saves a troubled teenager from a suicide attempt, leading them to form an unexpected bond. As they share their deepest secrets and support each other, they embark on a journey of self-discovery that empowers them to confront their fears and pursue their true desires.
Bubble Boy is the autobiographical story of a young, non-verbal autistic boy and his mum. When BB is diagnosed with autism, his mum is faced with the challenge of communicating with him. BB, on the other hand, has a deep desire to express himself. When he discovers the power of drawing, BB creates a magical world that helps him communicate with his mum and show his feelings. Inspired by classic Hollywood Musicals, Bubble Boy is a heart-warming tale of hope and love.
During a research trip, an international marine biology student uncovers his lab partner's scheme.
A worker in a future dystopian world begins to question his place in the production line and takes steps to break free from it.
No Budget Short Winner 2024
Like any timeless romance it begins when Girl meets Boy.
Aine agrees to meet Ciaron. Their walk through the forest is filled with sunlight and promise—until shadows gather.
Hope spirals into darkness. Trust and safety are shattered.
In the aftermath, something ancient awakens, unyielding and vengeful, imbued with the voices of the silenced.
The line between victim and predator blurs as the story plunges into a nightmare of haunting resilience, where generations of fury converge into a final, bone-deep horror that lingers long after.
Sol and Gina worked hard to build their perfect life. With a passion for education they obtain teaching positions at the same elementary school, adopt a little dog named Rosie, and in their spare time, renovate a vintage RV for an unforgettable summer roadtrip across America.
Tragically, Gina is killed in a school shooting leaving Sol paralyzed with grief. Determined to honor Gina's memory, he embarks on their planned summer journey, accompanied by faithful Rosie, uncertain if he'll ever return.
In search for answers along his own personal odyssey, Sol realizes through helping others and rediscovering lessons from his Mestizo heritage that his true path has been laid before him all along.
He’s a man who has had enough.
After 30 years of too many downs and not enough ups on life’s rollercoaster, Billy embarks on a final lost weekend in the funfair of a town that is Blackpool. The place he loved as a kid seemed as good as anywhere to end it all. Well, at least try to. Unfortunately, like so many other things in his chaotic world, it doesn’t quite go how he had hoped. In a hilarious, drink and drug-fuelled romp, Billy staggers from one failed attempt to another, but then suddenly finds a reason to live in all the madness.
His redemption arrives in the shape of a grown man dressed as a parrot. Forgetting his problems for a second, Billy instinctively saves the suicidal parrot from ending it all in the Irish sea and in doing so, Billy finds a reason to live.
“A cracking short that punches harder than the usual drama
and with a funny bone to boot. Beautifully shot & acted short that finds massive heart & humour in the guts of Blackpool.”
- Shane Meadows
"Laugh out loud funny and devastatingly heartbreaking. Stephen Gallacher gives us a masterful and beautiful film, showing us the light and the dark yet always finding hope on every corner through superbly heartfelt performances and a very witty script."
-Peter Hoar
The story begins in a bustling Irani café, reminiscent of Koolers in King’s Circle (Mumbai), during mid-morning. Regular patrons are there for their usual bun maska and chai.
Our protagonists -Vicky and Wasim, two unassuming men, enter the café one after the other. Vicky a man in his mid 40s/50s settles down in the café with an air of control and familiarity in the café. One tell by the welcome he gets from the owner and waiters that he weel liked and a regular at the café. Soon, Wasim, a young strapping man in his 20s enters the café and joins Vicky bhai. During the course of their interaction its very evident Wasim is clearly looking to impress Vicky bhai, his mentor.
They settle down with their bun maska and chai. As they chat and people-watch, soon their conversation takes an unexpected turn. Vicky bhai tests Wasim by pointing out various customers and asking how he would neutralize or kill them. The targets range from a “khadoos” and rude businessman to an effeminate wealthy rich teenager. As Wasim responds with rather graphic ways of how he would eliminate them, it is revealed to the audience reveal that they are local hitmen, discussing their "work" in a casual, humorous and very matter of fact tone.
Finally, a sweet, girl-next-door type comes in for a parcel. As she places her order and settles down on a bench while it is readied, Vicky points out to her and asks Wasim how he would eliminate her. Completely to Vicky’s surprise, Wasim reveals the girl and he are in love and that he could never even think of hurting her ever. He goes on to share his plans of how he plans to marry her once her family issues are settled. Vicky bhai at first listens to him patiently but then finally asks Wasim to forget all these romantic plans and slides a phone across on the table with the girl’s picture saying- “She's your first assignment.”
A tragedy, born from desperation. Ruthless debt collector, Sebastian Allen must decide if providing for his son is worth descending into further evil.
In a struggling Yorkshire town where the cost of living has spiraled out of control, survival often comes at a price. Many turn to crime syndicates for help, including Sebastian Allen, a debt collector for one of these organisations. Believing he’s simply doing what’s necessary, his convictions are tested when he’s given his ultimate assignment: to take a life for the first time. But when tragedy strikes his own son, Cameron, Sebastian is faced with an impossible choice: whether providing for his son's life is worth taking another. In a world where desperation breeds darkness, how far will he go?
In a quiet village pub, a touring country singer must come to terms with the journey that has led him there - and the road that lies ahead.
Amu Darya: River to a Missing Sea explores the memories of the Amu Darya - the Central Asian river that no longer reaches its original destination, the Aral Sea.
The film delves into the oral histories of those most affected, providing an insight into how Uzbek and Karakalpak communities are dealing with the desiccation of the Amu Darya, and how the USSR turned the Aral Sea from the world's fourth largest lake into the world's youngest desert.
Through tales of loss, adaptation, and hope, River to a Missing Sea offers the human story of an environmental disaster.
An old man is isolated in his home. Haunted by the loss of his beloved, he embarks upon a journey to return to her.
Grimy, abrasive vignettes of desperate southern masculinity.
‘Josefine’ is a fantastical animated opera inspired by Franz Kafka’s short story ‘Josefine the Singer.’ It explores the power of music and Art on the individual, the community, and on the world; and the ever-more-relevant question of art’s place in times of crisis.
When Josefine cracks a bleak desert open with one piercing note, her birth shakes up the existence of a curious shoal-sprite who is enchanted by her voice.
Perched on the highest peak the tiny Josefine controls the shoal-sprite community with her demands for food, water and shelter, but as she grows older and stronger their instinct is to protect her and to preserve her qualities of childhood by caging her. Abandoned and alone in her nest, Josefine falls silent.
Following surgery, Ioan and his father adapt to their new relationship as father and son, that is until the dog mistakes a nipple for a chew toy.
Two brothers from a struggling community defy immense odds in a high-stakes track tournament, but a moral choice threatens to divide them just as they stand on the brink of victory and a chance to change their future.
Alex Webb is an exciting new author and screenwriter with a string of bestsellers and a hit movie adaptation under his belt. Zoe Clarke is an entertainment reporter who has been tasked with going to Alex's home to do a profile piece on the up-and-coming young writer. However, it becomes apparent that Zoe's motives for meeting Alex aren't for the interview at all. She harbours a dark secret from their shared past that, if true, threatens to destroy them both.
A young boy witnesses the murder of his father on his doorstep in Belfast, 1976. As an older man he works his way into the home of the man who shot his father dead, and when faced with the opportunity to wreak his own revenge he's interrupted by the old man's granddaughter. Faced with the guilt of passing on his own pain to the young child, he relents and leaves the pair in peace.
11 year-old Jenny idolizes her older sister and tags along with Lisa and her new friends on a day out. When she witnesses her sister being bullied, Jenny tries to help but events take a sinister turn.
Sara is a typical London teenager, except she has a sister-sized hole in her world. It’s been a year and she’s not ‘moved on’, she’s lost contact with friends and her passions. Sara, held back by grief and the fear of completely losing her sister, can’t find the way forward. Yet.
A woman goes from dreams deeply to sunken worlds.
An army veteran turned counselor must reconcile her grief or succumb to an addiction fueled existence meant to numb the guilt of lying to her husband.
Val (Genevieve O'Reilly) and Mike (Nicholas Pinnock) tour the English countryside in their camper van. But this is not a holiday and the world outside is not OK.
While struggling to keep them both alive, Val hides the reality of their situation from a blissfully unaware Mike. Outside of the van is burning but inside is smiles and sudoku.
As Mike begins to suspect that everything is not as it seems, Val's house of cards is at risk of tumbling down and revealing the true nature of the world in all its horror.
An under-appreciated Irish widow builds a magical creature to help her work the bog, but when she and the creature develop feelings for each other, her jealous man-boy son tries to destroy it.
Everyone, and everything, deserves a second chance.
Xuan, the reluctant daughter to a home running a recycling yard, gets called over to weigh recyclables the moment she took out her phone to relax. At the age of 17, instead of enjoying her teenage years, she lives in a small bungalow built inside the yard with her mother and younger sister, surrounded by, in her opinion, all kinds of junk. Aside from having to help out in the recycling yard, she is also tasked with taking care of her indulged sister.
One day, her crush from school asks her out on a ride. Tasked with collecting recyclables from the neighborhood, Xuan decides to use it as an opportunity to sneak away from her mother and finally experience a moment with friends as a normal teenager…
A once-successful artist must revive his career in order to afford his domestic android.
In a dystopian realm where consciousness is encased within neural implants, Logan, a solitary Decksdark, finds himself intertwined with an ethereal entity.
Actor Toby Wells is at a press junket for his latest film. He hates the film, he hates the questions, his PA has little sympathy – and he wants a snack. In walks movie blogger Ellie. She is different, she listens, she is sympathetic. Surely he can trust her?
A rat transports us through the last vestiges of humanity as it forages for food for its family.
Confronted by a formidable threat, we discover the true magnitude of recent global events.
'There’s nothing round here. No money. No jobs. Unless you wanna work nights in a chicken factory.' Set in a small South Wales town, life has always been turbulent and chaotic for Hannah. But this time she is caught between being her brother's constant - 'cos Mam is never around, and facing her own battles as she deals with life involving her controlling boyfriend, Darren.
The Removed examines the life long effects of forced adoption and one woman's search for a lost past.
RISING STAR AWARD Winner 2024
In rural Ireland, a determined father fights to save his crumbling home and protect his family amidst a neglected housing crisis.
A single mother is forced to confront her dark past, while raising her young Autistic son. Shot and Set in Glasgow during the pandemic. The director herself and her son play the lead roles.
Two seemingly disconnected men from different cultures, both struggling with mental health, work to hold themselves together. Will their grief drive them to a breaking point and what will we learn about ourselves along the way?
Ellis Grover has returned to his hometown of Carmarthen and tells the story of his passion for walking on the wire began as a young child, inspired by circus performers and evolved into a lifelong pursuit.
A young artist visits a small café every day, hiding his secret feelings for the waitress in his longing glances. But she is too busy with work and her own worries to notice.
Then, a simple accident changes everything. In one moment, their world turns upside down. Now, the artist faces an unexpected choice—one that could transform the café’s walls… and maybe even the walls around the girl’s heart.
But does he have the courage to take that step? And is she ready to discover the truth behind his art and his lingering gaze?
"When the lonely and isolated Francine is gifted a case of matches made in her controlling husband’s factory, she discovers that within the flames of each match resides the tortured soul of a deceased factory worker, cursed to appear with every strike."
Set against the Matchgirl Strikes of 1888, Strike is a gothic story about friendship and the toxicity that can be hidden behind the guise of love. As we still battle for better working conditions and campaign for equality, this timely short film shows us how far we’ve come by standing still.
When Aaron and Fred get challenged to a cross country race, can they make it across the UK from coast to coast in 8 Hours, by any means possible?
A philosopher and his girlfriend involuntarily must spend a night at a nudist campsite, which is far beyond their comfort zone. At the campsite they meet a friendly couple, and this reveals underlying conflicts and creates tension in their relationship.
Stop-motion music video for the song "Staircase Stomp" by punk/new wave band The Clamor. The music video tells the story of a man grappling with his inner turmoil, represented by a haunting female figure in a storm-battered cabin. Through surreal stop-motion animation, the video explores themes of identity, psychological conflict, and self-reconciliation, blurring the lines between external chaos and internal struggles.
On the Isles of Scilly at a Christening party in the local pub, 16-year-old trans teenager, Cam, feels awkward and out of place in his small island community.
When Teän (20) arrives, confident and unashamedly out in their non-binary identity, Cam finally feels seen. Their presence sparks something more sinister for Cam’s older brother, Jago, who causes a scene in the pub.
To heal, Teän and Cam escape and walk the coast path. They end up on the beach, where Teän has a plan to make their trans mark on the island.
Through a child's imagination it tells the journey of a man who after falling prey to his fears, he must cross a strange world, a universe full of magic, where he will be confronted with his own fears and conflicts from the past and where he must find solutions for the future to discover his self-identity.
It's sink or swim for a tardy schoolboy on his first day at a 1970’s Irish rural primary school.
A mischievous 4 y/o boy goes on a daring adventure, solo, to right his father's perceived wrong, and repay a man in deprivation.
Ice Breath is an experimental, 43-minute black-and-white movie by photographer and filmmaker Leonard Alecu, dedicated to the melting icebergs off the eastern coast of Greenland. Climate change and human hubris lie at the core of this movie, which transgresses genres. Cloaked as a documentary, Ice Breath is a filmed essay on appearing and perishing, on becoming and decaying, on extinction and genesis. It is a thoroughly factual documentation of the melting icebergs, paired with an entirely transcendental quest. The film is a parable of life's fragility, against the backdrop of which develops the unending aspiration for absolute perfection. Leonard Alecu has a master's degree in microelectronics. Later, he radically turned toward photography, drawing inspiration from the grand American tradition of black-and-white photography associated with the School of Edward Weston. His experiments in conceiving methods, procedures, and photo instruments brought him closer to the need to document, on film, the sophisticated protocols of his photographic output. His exclusive choice of black-and-white photography and cinematography matches the unique subject of his campaigns - the extreme North. At first, it was Iceland, and starting in 2015 until 2024, Leonard Alecu was literally absorbed by the dramatic, although apparently monotonous, seascape off the coast of Greenland. More than the photography, the film reached the kernel of the lived experience of the extreme North: a breathtaking revelation of the enormous icebergs drifting around, slowly melting as if in a sublime cemetery of frozen giants. Ultimate beauty is a token of loss. Leonard Alecu is not a filmmaker interested in landscapes. His target is beyond the visible surroundings. There is an inchoate narrative in Leonard Alecu's movie. Ice Breath introduces each and every iceberg portrayed in the film as "dramatis personae", an individual character, exploring for a minute its traits, its moves and moods, and the distinctive way it confronts the ocean, the skies, and the fog. The mesmerizing choreography of the dying, icy bodies led Leonard Alecu to engage in a dangerous, next-level relationship with his chosen subject matter: he started to film the icebergs as close as possible, without drones, from the small boat piloted by Inuit hunters, in the proximity of the rapidly splitting ice masses. Leonard Alecu literally dances with the lethal icebergs. This choice introduced another, almost invisible, character in the movie - the author himself, whose eye and camera are the actual subjects interfering in the final ballet of the icebergs. The author's awe in front of his chosen characters is the proper, dramatic substance of the film and turns it into the rendering of a daring performance in the tricky waters of the Arctic Ocean. However, there is nothing of an extreme sport in Ice Breath. Instead, although every minute of the cinematic poem is a lived performance, the visual effect is dreamy and otherworldly, as if a trip inside a thoroughly metaphysical perception of reality. The cumulative effect of the close-up footage conveys to the audience the sense of a slow, eternal flow of extinction and genesis. The hypnotic effect is amplified by the soundtrack Become Ocean by John Luther Adams (Pulitzer Prize, 2014; Grammy Award, 2015, for classical composition). Music and film perfectly fit each other in conveying an existential voyage in a loop, from genesis to extinction. Alluding, ecstatic, and mystical, Alecu's sharp and uncompromising black-and-white Ice Breath retrieves genesis out of extinction, as joy and sorrow ooze from his epidermic approach to the dying ice giants. Erwin Kessler
A grumpy Welshman reluctantly visits his grandmother, only to discover she has only gone and got herself cursed! So now he needs to bloody save her (and the world) from a demon duck...before midnight.
Based on a short story by Stephen King.
Stella Flanders is the oldest woman on Goat Island. Throughout her life, she has never crossed the reach that separates the isle from the mainland. She has spent her entire existence in that small, close-knit community that is almost as welcoming as a family and in which she has always had everything she needed. But as a freezing winter descends upon the island, Stella begins to see visions of those she once loved, calling her toward the Reach. Perhaps the time has come for her to embark on that journey she never wished to take...
Rachel was a Manhattan PR exec with a solid résumé and a mild breakdown. Then her eccentric half-brother lost a questionably-structured card game and wound up owner of a flailing Florida farm sanctuary. Now, Rachel’s managing goats, chaos, and coworkers who believe in reincarnation and compost intimacy.
Friends Not Food is a half-hour comedy about what happens when a city fixer tries to outrun burnout… and runs straight into 600 pounds of pig with boundary issues.
The animals are not background—they’re costars. Unspeaking, unscripted, and absurdly expressive, they steal scenes, drive stories, and occasionally ruin takes on purpose.
She came to fix the place. They’re the ones fixing her.
(Also, there’s a Bark Mitzvah.)
"Our Days" – A Poignant Tale of Redemption and Resilience
In the unforgiving suburbs of Rome, Marco is a man grappling with the ghosts of a violent past. Determined to rebuild his life and leave behind the shadows that haunt him, his fragile hope is shattered one fateful night when a tragic accident claims the life of his pregnant girlfriend, Emma. This devastating event not only reopens old wounds but forces Marco to confront the consequences of choices that can no longer be undone.
Struggling with his grief, Marco reconnects with his estranged sister, Elena, whose own life is marked by a battle with addiction. Their tense reunion stirs unresolved emotions but also opens the door to healing and mutual understanding, offering a fragile chance for reconciliation.
Amid Marco’s legal troubles, a young and inexperienced lawyer, Stefano Curri, enters the scene. What begins as a professional duty for Stefano evolves into a deeply personal journey, as he confronts his own insecurities and embarks on a path toward self-discovery and redemption.
"Our Days" is a deeply human story that delves into the fragility of the human spirit and the intricate ties that bind us. Set against a backdrop of societal indifference, the film explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the enduring hope for change. Through its raw and emotionally charged narrative, the film invites audiences to reflect on the power of forgiveness, the weight of our pasts, and the resilience it takes to rebuild a fractured life.
Directed by Jacopo Marchini and brought to life by the talented team at Movi Production, "Our Days" features standout performances by Francesco Martino as Marco, Valentina Corti as Emma, Stefano Gianino as Stefano Curri, and Daniela Poggi as Stefano’s mother. The film has been lauded for its authentic portrayal of contemporary societal struggles and its profound psychological depth, marking it as a resonant and timely cinematic experience.
More than just a film, "Our Days" is an emotional journey into the heart of human resilience and the transformative power of facing one’s past. It serves as a compelling reminder that, no matter how dark the road may seem, the potential for redemption and change is always within reach.
Anne is in her late thirties and has moved back to her mothers home to care for her after an operation. The monotony of her days is broken only by the snapping sound of assembling a ballpoint pen and by the constant ringing of the phone. "You've dialed the wrong number," Anne repeats over and over. Meanwhile her mother has settled in front of the TV, making no effort to fight her health condition. Old conflicts and power struggles between the two very different women resurface, turning the small three-room apartment into a pressure cooker ready to explode. Then one day, in the midst of all the hopelessness and gloom, the phone rings again.
Working in an historic Art Deco cinema, Maybe Moonbeam finds an old film reel with her name on it. Maybe cranks up the projector to watch the lead character, Mabel, living a life a 100 years ago that disconcertingly mirrors her own. Maybe Moonbeam uses film and digital techniques to pay homage to the silent movie pioneers of the 1920s with an original score by Ryna Lau. A black and white short silent film, shot on location in Hackney, London.
Rivkah, a Jewish cafe owner, tells the story of 'Squeaky Clean Mo', a down on his luck dishwasher who has been hiding his Jewish identity for years. When he starts working at her cafe, a romance begins to bubble...
Still grieving the loss of his beloved dog, a solitary widower questions his hasty decision to take in a new best friend.
After a body-altering accident, a woman must find a way forward in her new reality.
After attempting to steal medication from his local shop, twenty something Kyle must complete ten weeks community service as a charity volunteer.
He must visit Mary, an elderly lady, who is not keen on company. After a difficult start, they come to the agreement that Kyle will stay and help Mary around the house.
The two form an unlikely friendship and eventually learn about each other’s struggles. Mary shares how her husband of more than fifty years developed dementia and how she had to slowly watch him deteriorate while acting as his carer, and Kyle tells Mary how he struggles to care for his father who is becoming increasingly unwell.
After sharing their stories, the two dance until Mary collapses and Kyle rushes to call an ambulance.
After tragically losing her boyfriend, Laura's struggles with grief become unbearable. But when she's offered a drug that lets her see him again, Laura becomes obsessed; as her life, and addiction, soon start spiralling out of control...
SHORT FILM MADE IN WALES Winner 2024
Rory’s driven to help children with limited time enjoy laughter in life as they undergo medical treatments. The emotional toll it takes on him personally has begun to catch up in his life.
Before the world knew her as a legend, Marilyn Monroe endured a childhood marked by trauma and a career shaped by relentless pressures—yet rose to become a beloved icon, acclaimed actress, and pioneering independent producer. As she confronts her past and wrestles with what it means to be “enough,” her time-traveling companion faces his own demons—the haunting temptation to rewrite history, even if it means unraveling everything.
Starring Patterson Joseph and Sandi Toksvig, Odd Socks is set in a world where humans live alongside sock-monsters. Maverick human detective McGuin must battle lies, deception, and every movie cliché in his hunt for the truth when a sock monster is murdered.
Cast:
McGuin - Paterson Joseph
McKarmy - Sandi Toksvig
McBride - Louisa Harland
Beng - Ewen Bremner
McStein - Sam Otto
Sue - Lily Knight
McLevy - Freddie Greaves
When an isolated middle-aged man discovers his beloved dog is dying, he is confronted by long buried childhood memories of life on the sea with his father.
A real-time journey into the mind and story of champion free-diver Alice Hickson as she performs her record breath hold.
After recording the final words of a terminally ill hospice patient, a videographer must decide whether to reveal the troubling video to the patient’s only daughter, knowing its contents could profoundly change her life.
Did you work today? Did you get fired today? Have you found a job today? What else can you do today? What are you worth today? Are you past your expiration date today?
When AI emerged, people were shocked at first, but gradually people began to feel unease and fear. Although the convenience brought by AI has intelligent people's lives, it is also gradually replacing the work of ordinary people, resulting in a serious division of classes. Time is passing too fast, AI is developing too fast, and the value of labor for most ordinary people is also losing too fast. Perhaps everyone asks themselves "What can I do?" Think about what your value is, so that you will not be replaced, will not be marginalized by society, and will not make life hopeless.
A newly-divorced Chinese immigrant and his son move to the Great Lakes area. The father, Lee Huan, starts a fishing business that catches only Asian Carp in the local river. However, the son, Lee Long, can't fit into the new environment and doesn't understand his dad's motives. With help from Uncle Kuan, a family friend and biologist, the father and son must confront their differences once and for all.
A short film about a man sitting on a bench who begins to realise that his online date may have stood him up.
In 2024, A troubled young mother (Sophia) and her psychic son (Jacob) are desperately on the run from a super soldier unit, known as ‘Black Sun’. Such an elite and ancient order will stop at nothing in abducting her son for weaponizing his DNA to gene splice slave humans for a WW3 draft.
Sophia finds refuge in a remote cabin in the woods with her contact, who is an ex-deep state whistle-blower and geneticist (Tyra) also on the most wanted list. Tyra is astonished by Jacob's 'Krystal DNA', boldly activating it, which opens up into a dangerous dimension..
A young Methodist missionary journeys into rural North Wales to proselytise a church on a mountain, as he seeks to prove himself in the eyes of God.
An 11 minute visual "love letter" to Team Human, our living planet, the Vermont landscape, inspiring breathwork, intuitive sense making, and the great Kentucky poet, author, philosopher, and environmentalist Wendell Berry.
A couple's night out is interrupted by a man in a parking lot, who challenges their perceptions on modern-day masculinity
WORLD PREMIERE - BOLTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024 (BAFTA QUAILIFYING)
An imaginative ten-year-old boy must confront his fears and navigate the complexities of the world when his father takes him for a "special" examination.
Aney, a New York City med student, returns to rural India after her mother dies due to lack of medical care. Driven by grief and anger, she sets up a clinic for village outcasts, hoping to change the system. There she meets Farida, a wise and charming teenager from a nomadic tribe.
Aney's work with the village helps her heal from her mother's death, but Farida's life takes a tragic turn when her father dies because he can no longer afford his hospital stay. As Farida's life unravels, Aney discovers that her utopian dreams are no match for harsh reality.
Filmed over seven years, this deeply personal East-meets-West story of mutual healing shows how the sufferings and joys of the human experience blurs borders and boundaries; countries and caste.
Terminally ill Paul Siegert travels from Germany to a secluded Swiss mountain resort specifically designed for assisted suicide where he unexpectedly finds a new reason to live.
In 1893, a couple discover there child has TB, an incurable disease at such time, they'll have to decide to stay inside with the child, and face the same fate, or leave and survive.
A woman living alone in the 1800’s finds a crack in her wardrobe where she can see herself in the future.
Left-behind boy "Zhang" and his friends plan to kill and extort another left-behind child, "Wang." However, after experiencing the sensation of death, Zhang hesitates during the act. And wang,unable to endure their endless torment, ultimately takes his own life. In the end, Zhang gets the extorted money and leaves the village to find his father working away, but remains deeply oppressed inside.
Russian Orthodox Theological Academy near Moscow, USSR, 1982.
An ambitious student, Vassily prepares for his forthcoming ordination as an Orthodox priest when his roommate goes missing. As worrisome rumours and paranoia permeate the all-male Academy, Vassily is approached by a quietly menacing KGB agent.
Pam is delighted when her civil guard husband Eddie is promoted to sergeant. They have pledged their loyalty to the country’s leader. Now all they have to do is live up to the party’s ideals.
After a tragedy occurs in their small Welsh town, two friends look back over their lives, trying to piece together the reasons for what occurred.
Unmasking the Pain is a music video inspired by the Director’s personal experience of being abused by her father and not protected by her mother. While rooted in her own story, the project resonates with many others who have endured similar hardships. Through haunting visuals and evocative music, it explores the profound sense of loss from the absence of parental protection and serves as a powerful call for awareness, action, and change.
Ice Breath is an experimental, 43-minute black-and-white movie by photographer and filmmaker Leonard Alecu, dedicated to the melting icebergs off the eastern coast of Greenland. Climate change and human hubris lie at the core of this movie, which transgresses genres. Cloaked as a documentary, Ice Breath is a filmed essay on appearing and perishing, on becoming and decaying, on extinction and genesis. It is a thoroughly factual documentation of the melting icebergs, paired with an entirely transcendental quest. The film is a parable of life's fragility, against the backdrop of which develops the unending aspiration for absolute perfection. Leonard Alecu has a master's degree in microelectronics. Later, he radically turned toward photography, drawing inspiration from the grand American tradition of black-and-white photography associated with the School of Edward Weston. His experiments in conceiving methods, procedures, and photo instruments brought him closer to the need to document, on film, the sophisticated protocols of his photographic output. His exclusive choice of black-and-white photography and cinematography matches the unique subject of his campaigns - the extreme North. At first, it was Iceland, and starting in 2015 until 2024, Leonard Alecu was literally absorbed by the dramatic, although apparently monotonous, seascape off the coast of Greenland. More than the photography, the film reached the kernel of the lived experience of the extreme North: a breathtaking revelation of the enormous icebergs drifting around, slowly melting as if in a sublime cemetery of frozen giants. Ultimate beauty is a token of loss. Leonard Alecu is not a filmmaker interested in landscapes. His target is beyond the visible surroundings. There is an inchoate narrative in Leonard Alecu's movie. Ice Breath introduces each and every iceberg portrayed in the film as "dramatis personae", an individual character, exploring for a minute its traits, its moves and moods, and the distinctive way it confronts the ocean, the skies, and the fog. The mesmerizing choreography of the dying, icy bodies led Leonard Alecu to engage in a dangerous, next-level relationship with his chosen subject matter: he started to film the icebergs as close as possible, without drones, from the small boat piloted by Inuit hunters, in the proximity of the rapidly splitting ice masses. Leonard Alecu literally dances with the lethal icebergs. This choice introduced another, almost invisible, character in the movie - the author himself, whose eye and camera are the actual subjects interfering in the final ballet of the icebergs. The author's awe in front of his chosen characters is the proper, dramatic substance of the film and turns it into the rendering of a daring performance in the tricky waters of the Arctic Ocean. However, there is nothing of an extreme sport in Ice Breath. Instead, although every minute of the cinematic poem is a lived performance, the visual effect is dreamy and otherworldly, as if a trip inside a thoroughly metaphysical perception of reality. The cumulative effect of the close-up footage conveys to the audience the sense of a slow, eternal flow of extinction and genesis. The hypnotic effect is amplified by the soundtrack Become Ocean by John Luther Adams (Pulitzer Prize, 2014; Grammy Award, 2015, for classical composition). Music and film perfectly fit each other in conveying an existential voyage in a loop, from genesis to extinction. Alluding, ecstatic, and mystical, Alecu's sharp and uncompromising black-and-white Ice Breath retrieves genesis out of extinction, as joy and sorrow ooze from his epidermic approach to the dying ice giants. Erwin Kessler
In this anime-inspired film, Cora’s life changes forever after a vengeful Spirit appears. The Spirit tries to possess Cora’s body, but over time they form a dysfunctional relationship.
"Grow Wild" is a short animation with non-photorealistic style, telling a story about a small flower growing at the bottom of a bell tower that wants to climb up to see the further landscape. The process is obviously not easy when facing all kinds of obstacles, can it stand firm on its choice? Similar to our life. Maybe the choices we make are not always the best, and we may encounter all sorts of questions and misunderstandings, but our life belongs to ourselves, and we should make our own choices. Both flowers and thorns are all the treasure scenery on the road. So just be firm with ourselves with a bare heart. Keep the passion and grow wild!
A woman unexpectedly left the picnic, chasing a paper letter from her mom, and lost her hearing aids in the woods, where she met the phantom of mom. Finally, her identity was revealed.
A story about memory, time, and ultimately about the human condition.
At the tender age of ten, ZiLin found faith, conjuring a Little God of her own. Throughout the bloom of her youth, she was steadfast in her promise to this divine companion, striving to be a mother of virtue. Yet, when matrimony beckoned, life's harsh realities and familial pressures compelled her to relinquish the life of a second child they could not provide for.
In the poignant moment when her Little God took leave, ZiLin was struck by the realization - the divine companion she had imagined was, in truth, the daughter she had never allowed to be.
Trapped in a dystopic situation, Susanne (Hanna Schygulla) and her daughter Sylvie (Anja Schneider) trace the last thread that connects them—a phone line—through a surreal journey of fears and memories, racing to find each other at the other end of the line.
Darcine's Day short film about a woman in Los Angeles, striving to find work, an apartment, and a meal, only to go unseen for the help she really needs. Starring Kyla Diane Kennedy and Brent Huff, Darcine’s Day is a social commentary on the realities of the post-pandemic job market, and the difficulties of finding affordable housing . Themes of homelessness, the disappearing middle class, and the challenges of being a woman in Los Angeles are explored.
Emma embarks on a bureaucratic odyssey to get her life back after an administrative error leaves her legally dead.
A moving image and sound portrait of the aura; seizures in focused parts of the brain that result in sensory, physical and emotional disturbances, sometimes acting as warnings for convulsive seizures that may occur. Told through the voices of individuals who experience this phenomena, the film provides an intimate discussion on the different forms of aura experienced, the social stigma around these and the potential positive impact it can make on artistic expression.
At the eternal moment before a meteor strike, civilizations confront their possible end, questioning whether it’s real or an illusion of destruction.
Teifi and Beca wake up after a crazy all-night bender to find that their drug dealer is dead. Teifi’s father is hosting a shooting day, so the farm is teeming with nosy men with itchy trigger-fingers.
Fearing the police or, worse yet, social exclusion in the village, they scramble to hide the corpse… going to ridiculous lengths to do so.
A powerful woman's journey within a futuristic dystopia world of different people in a society that challenges individuality & race. Visually and emotional scenes resonate with those who see the beauty of diversity, empathy and the universal bond that connects us all.
As the video reaches its climax, the cityscape and desert transforms into a beautiful array of colors, symbolizing unity.
Her mesmerizing performance and message becomes clear: "People Are People," and the importance of embracing humanity.
In the end, Vaja's directorial debut captures the pure essence of her vision.
Eternal Muse is an introspective exploration of the interplay between art, grief, and obsession. After losing his beloved wife, Adeline, artist Lorenzo retreats to an isolated studio with her unfinished portrait, seeking solace in his art. Consumed by the desire to immortalize her essence on canvas, his sanctuary becomes a blurred space where reality and imagination collide. Adeline's ethereal presence fuels his creative drive and exposes his growing detachment and descent into obsession. As Lorenzo's perception of her shifts from a cherished partner to a muse for artistic perfection, the film delves into the sacrifices and boundaries of artistic creation. This poignant narrative questions the extent to which art mirrors life and explores the paradox of preserving life through creation while losing sight of its humanity.
In a satirical exploration of history and modern cultural dynamic this documentary follows a government minister’s outrageous quest to rebrand the notorious Henry VII from tyrant to a relatable figure.
Lily weaves together two timelines, beginning with Eddie and Lily in the middle of a chess game. As the game progresses, the story transitions to their past, unveiling how their connection deepened and their love blossomed through the expressive and transformative art of Breaking.
On the night of her daughter’s first birthday; single mother Marion must battle a deadly monster to save her child, herself…and her sanity.
KIERAN BEW (HBO's 'House of the Dragon', Netflix's 'Warrior') leads us on an educational, emotional, gruff and goofy adventure through the hidden world of male tears. A feast for the feels.
Over the course of 4 and a half hectic minutes - we take a look at tears from 3 different angles; biologically, sociologically and historically. We discuss how crying has swung in and out of fashion and what has informed our current consensus on this intriguing bodily function.
Directed by Ant Rubinstein & written by Catherine Willoughby, the duo behind the award winning 'There's Something Going Around'.
Watch the behind the scenes here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbTQWJmAw7w
Working in an historic Art Deco cinema, Maybe Moonbeam finds an old film reel with her name on it. Maybe cranks up the projector to watch the lead character, Mabel, living a life a 100 years ago that disconcertingly mirrors her own. Maybe Moonbeam uses film and digital techniques to pay homage to the silent movie pioneers of the 1920s with an original score by Ryna Lau. A black and white short silent film, shot on location in Hackney, London.
"Wyld Canopies" is a retro-inspired narrative music video recounting the "Artist's Hero's Journey:" of finding one's passion and then putting that passion to good purpose. The project also represents the director’s first solo cg production. Music by Leon Rosen. Written, Directed, Produced & Created by Victoria Livingstone. Animation/Mixed Media.
Following the passing of British-Ugandan teen Nia’s grandmother, she struggles with the guilt of not being able to mourn her death. Through this, she is inspired to connect with her culture.
The film follows a baker through the entire process from flour to finished bread. He bakes the bread in a 250-year-old stone oven, and uses no machines when making the dough. The film shows the beauty and creativity of a craft process that is threatened by efficiency and mass production.
In 2025, A troubled young mother (Sophia) and her psychic son (Jacob) are desperately on the run from a super soldier unit, known as ‘Black Sun’. Such an elite and ancient order will stop at nothing in abducting her son for weaponizing his DNA to gene splice slave humans in their image.
Sophia finds refuge in a remote cabin in the woods with her contact, who is an ex-deep state whistle-blower and geneticist (Tyra) also on the most wanted list. Tyra is astonished by Jacob's 'Krystal DNA', boldly activating it, which opens up into a dangerous dimension..
A father deals with grief over the loss of his wife
A heartfelt drama that unfolds through the intimate lens of a home video camera. It tells the story of Luke, a firefighter, and his family, as they navigate the heartbreaking aftermath of September 11th. Capturing the family's everyday moments, juxtaposed against the backdrop of Luke's declining health due to 9/11-related illnesses, the film immerses us in the love, grief, and strength of a family as they confront a system that chooses to ignore the ongoing challenges of a tragedy that continues to shape their lives.
Please note: This submission is for consideration in the Best Original Score / Best Soundtrack category.
Film Synopsis:
The most beautiful princess in the world demands the impossible: to marry a king who conquers all kings. The world is plunged into war as kings from all lands vie for her hand. Amidst the bloodshed, a mysterious suitor emerges, claiming to be the one she’d asked for.
Based on a story by L.M. Montgomery.
We join an artist as he draws a little character called a Splot. The Splot begins to talk back to the artist as he draws. Soon we are on a journey through the sketchbook searching for the Splot’s special colour, meeting lots of fun characters along the way.
Karla is a crafty second grader who loves drawing, her best friend Nele, and most of all: spending time with her grandmother – who, more and more, keeps seeing things that don’t exist. Despite her young age, Karla understands what everyone around her doesn’t seem to: while her grandmother’s perception might be different, it feels just as real. When she overhears her mom talking about a nursing home, she understands the impending threat. Proof is needed to avoid losing her grandma, but Karla’s plan doesn’t go unnoticed.
In 1893, an endearing Cornish fisherman’s wife captures the attention of the medical profession as the first person to ever cure someone of Tuberculosis.
A doctor, hell bent on proving a woman’s place is in the home and not practising medicine, is sent to investigate her miraculous claim - only to discover the source of her unearthly power...
A story of faith, denial, and revelation. As one heart is shattered by unimaginable loss and consumed by hopelessness, the line between salvation and damnation begins to blur. In a world where belief is tested and truth is uncertain, one soul must confront the ultimate temptation, life, or death.
