SATURDAY 16TH AUGUST 2025
BLOCK 1 - (10am - 12pm)
PERFECT (22m 22s)
Two strangers meet by a simple twist of fate.
In a time where we can feel increasingly isolated, Perfect is a heartfelt film about the power of courageous vulnerability and unreserved connection. A reflection of the shared human need and capacity for love.
Perfect is a delicately told and sensitive observation of nostalgia, the lasting impact of trauma, loss of youth, memory & time.
MEETING POINT (30m)
Andy, a broken man, is in physical and mental torment as he tries to deal with personal trauma. Unsure where his life is leading him, a chance encounter with a struggling single mother provides them both with a chance to share their stories and comprehend how fate has brought them to this place, this meeting point.
IN HALF (24m)
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.
Hippolyta - Titania (3m 42s)
Hippolyta travels to meet the moon goddess Titania - the Elizabethan era meets the 1960s Space Race for a new take on A Midsummer Night's Dream. A short performance using costumes made for my MA in Costume Design for Performance.
HA'PENNY DIP (9m 33s)
HA'PENNY DIP Is a debut, short-comedy, written-by and starring Harry McIlroy.
It centers around the four main characters: Bill, Sandra, Gary and Fox. Who, due to lack of options, are forced to rob a bank - the bank they all work at.
BLUEWASPMAN (12m 15s)
On his Daughter’s Birthday, a bullish narcissist attempts to throw a grand party whilst an affair, a rebellious step-son and a pristine cake threaten to fall apart around him.
REFLECTIONS (13m 47s)
SAM is congratulated on her amazing String Theory Thesis* but there is something odd about it... She never studied Physics in her entire life.
Is she in her own dimension?
Read:
*String Theory is a physics framework that aims to unify Einstein's general relativity and quantum mechanics; some variants suggest the possibility of a multiverse.
THE BLOSSOM & THE MOUNTAIN (5m)
Sakura and Fuji one fleeting, one eternal, falling for one another through the spring. Fire rages, water washes over them, and nature takes its course. Blossom fades, but their love lingers, even as the petals fall. A poetic take on love, time, and letting go.
BLOCK 2 - (12.30Pm - 2.30pm)
NOHA'S VINES (15m)
Noah’s Vines uncorks the rich history and vibrant culture of Armenian wine. From the rugged slopes of Mount Ararat to the fertile valleys of Vayots Dzor, viewers are transported on a sensory journey through Armenia's diverse terroirs. The film highlights theFrom the rugged slopes of Mount Ararat to the fertile valleys of Vayots Dzor, viewers are transported on a sensory journey through Armenia's diverse terroirs. The film highlights the rich history of the country from its ancient wine traditions through the Ottoman rule, genocide, Soviet rule, war and independence.
WAYFARER (5m 31s)
A boy named Conjuror goes on a journey with his companion, Cat, to find his missing parents.
LIVING IN MY CAR (17m 30s)
After an unexpected turn of events, Jon is forced to live in his car and experiences the harsh repercussions of a rent boom and the cost-of-living crisis.
Like many people, Jon found himself between jobs and suddenly a paycheque away from not being able to pay his rent. With food prices and the cost of living increasing in the city where Jon was born, he's unable to make ends meet and shut out of the rental market.
ALLEGED (14m 30s)
A hardened online conspiracy theorist confronts a vulnerable woman in her workplace, convinced that she is a "crisis actor".
IMERGO (15m 31s)
Finn, a struggling young man with a deep phobia of water, battles his fear with the unlikely aid of a battered old man who sees part of himself in the struggling youth.
DANIEL'S ROOM (13m 59s)
On the eve of its auction, Emily returns to her long-abandoned childhood home—a place once filled with light, now steeped in silence and shadow. She’s come for a final reckoning with her estranged step-brother, Daniel, and the dark past they share. As night falls, buried grief resurfaces and long-hidden truths claw their way to light. In the house that shaped them, Emily must confront not only Daniel—but the haunting legacy that refuses to stay dead.
SISTERS (10m 45s)
A grieving teen struggles to reclaim her place in a world that feels forever changed.
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.
THIS DAYS BLACK FATE (7m 23s)
Romeo takes his revenge against Tybalt leading to a deadly duel.
BUTTY (7m 55s)
An awkward father-daughter relationship told through bacon butties.
LETTERS FROM SPACE (11m 55s)
After Ash's idol and older brother David is sent on 'a mission to space', she only hears from him through written letters which fizzle out as she grows up.
Now packing for University, Ash receives another letter from her brother, forcing her to revisit memories, childlike fantasies and the tragic reason why he left.
A LOVE LETTER TO BRUM (2m 53s)
In this 'Love Letter to Brum' we explore the diverse and creative aspects of Birmingham, exploring it through the eyes and words of those that have been brought up here.
ARTIFICIAL INSANITY (5m 47s)
If you want to talk to an "actual person" the wait time is 5.6 months...
"AI is a dark sci-fi comedy all about the frustrations of dealing with A I Chat Bots. Its a deeply personal story.
BLOCK 3 - (3.00pm - 5.00pm)
HEDGHOG (17m 41s)
Josie wants to be like any other teenager. Poised between adolescence and adulthood she finds herself isolated, living with the challenges of NF1, a protective father and a fascination with a medieval king. When new girl Ash shows up at drama class, Josie seizes the chance to change her story.
7 X 7 X 7 (17m 53s)
On a desolate bus stranded on a dark country road, three lives collide, revealing a shared tragedy that will force them to confront their past and the lingering pain it holds.
BOWL (9m 59s)
Arthur is an elderly, quick-witted, gay man who has recently been diagnosed with arthritis. Upon finding out that his old foe and competitor Norma is is playing in the upcoming lawn bowls charity match, Arthur seeks the chance to prove himself. He faces many challenges along the way as he bickers with Norma and comes to terms with his illness and the losses he has faced, but with a little help from Norma's granddaughter Jenn, he is able to confront his past and learn what is truly important to him.
THE DRIVE (17m)
A troubled young driver is persuaded by his uncle, to follow a rich man's wife, because he is suspecting her infidelity. During the follow, he discovers that things might not be what they appear to be.
REMOTE WITNESS (14m 30s)
A hackers morals are put to the test when he unintentionally witnesses an assault on the woman he's spying on.
FLOWER OF REMEMBERANCE (5m 1s)
Carnation goes to a new place to find inspiration for her painting. She passes a flower shop and meets Bella. When Bella greets Carnation, a familiar feeling comes to her heart. With Bella's permission, Carnation begins to paint. In the process, a beautiful story and connection emerges.
TO BE (8m 12s)
Using the language of Hamlet's famous "to be or not to be" speech, a woman briefly considers drastic measures to escape the monotony of her mundane life.
HOLLOW (12m 36s)
A lesbian couple visit a futuristic counselling service, with only one of them knowing the true, devastating reasons for being there.
THE BLOOD CONNECTION (9m 8s)
The Blood Connection is a powerful short film that explores the importance of blood donation within the Black community. Through an emotional and intimate encounter between a father and son, the film addresses generational pain, reconciliation, and the life-saving power of giving blood. As personal stories unfold, the film highlights the urgent need for ethnically matched blood donors, encouraging action, empathy, and awareness.
THE PLAYGROUND (6m 24s)
The Playground is a poignant short film that explores the devastating impact of sexting and the misuse of technology on young lives. It follows Billie, a teenage girl whose trust is betrayed when her older boyfriend Jack shares her intimate photos without consent, leading to public humiliation and online abuse.
SATURDAY AWARDS EVENING - (6.00pm - 8.00pm)
SUNDAY 17TH AUGUST 2025
BLOCK 1 - (10.00am - 12.00pm)
WHISTLING DIXIE (16m)
In 1936, Betty Murphy escapes her small town in Oklahoma and follows her dream of becoming a Hollywood movie star in Los Angeles. Here she meets a sleazy Frank Anderson - a film producer who begins to manipulate and change her into starlet Dixie Domay. We follow her journey into the unfiltered world of film, love and dreams, until reality becomes too good to be true.
ON THE ROPES (15m 48s)
A young boxer must navigate the complexities of his relationship with his father and the challenges of carving out his own identity in the demanding world of the sport.
NO LONGER HUMAN (13m 16s)
Jacques has a tortured past, which has led him to try to end his life multiple times. His path crosses with Felicity who becomes infatuated with Jacques. We see a dark romance form between the two. Neither Jack or Felicity having the human experience and come to the bitter conclusion to die in each other’s arms.
A CUP OF CHAI (10m)
A headstrong Priya, approaches her wedding day, her mother’s controlling wedding planning pushes their relationship to the brink. Overwhelmed by years of her mother's overbearing control, Priya faces a pivotal moment.
She must summon the courage to communicate that she doesn’t want her mother's traditional guidance, setting the stage for a dramatic clash of generations and the ultimate test of their unbreakable bond.
THE CASE OF THE DIRTY DISHES (4m 46s)
A Film Noir Spoof of a Detective investigating why his kitchen is so damn messy.
TOMMY THE SUPERHERO (16m 33s)
Tommy is a young Lancashire lad who dreams of being one thing: A Superhero! But with every part of his left shaded with misery he will have to search deep down within himself to become the real hero he pretends to be.
THE AFTERMATH (14m 27s)
"The Aftermath" is a Short film written by Tori Hughes, exploring the trauma response to domestic violence and living with the after effects
UNSEEN (6m 45s)
A man has been hiding a strange creature from his partner and finally decides to show her. In doing so, he begins to disappear before her eyes.
DEADSTOCK (9m 17s)
Interim accounts holder Robert Finnegan is about to clock off his late shift when he stumbles across a mysterious red package addressed to him personally. Should he inspect this anomaly or join his colleagues in the pub who have been patiently waiting for him? Curiosity can be a dangerous thing...
GOURMANIUM (13m 56s)
In the aftermath of a nuclear war, world-famous gourmet chef Pierrot raises his daughter Kelly underground in their purpose built bunker. But as supplies dwindle, he must learn that he cannot protect her from reality forever.
