The 2018 programme was the largest and most diverse to date, expanding across 12 short-form genres, as well as feature and VR films. Indulge in a selection and curate your own experience of independent cinema.
Dir. Anthony Capristo Millenials from different subcultures question the nature of reality. They free their minds, establish their own rules, break physical laws of nature and create a new landscape.
Dir. Greg Ferro BrewDog’s flagship beverage – Punk IPA – is celebrated in this visually compelling short, highlighting the craft beer revolution whilst establishing a bold sense of identity.
Dir. Konstantin Enste & Bianca Büdenbender Rhabarber Spritz is a commercial for a winery – not as sweet as you think. It is the graduation movie of Bianca Büdenbender (DOP) at Hochschule Mainz, Germany.
Dir. Giacomo Boeri & Matteo Grimaldi Start the Buzz is the latest film commissioned by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana to celebrate Milano Fashion Week A/W 2018/19.
Dir. Charlie Delaney Stay is a brand video for Knarli, an upstart UK streetwear company. The film dwells in a concrete utopia of setting suns, slow shutter speeds and a sense of freedom.
Dir. Patrick Daughters In a colourful secret factory, an energetic little boy uses his creative imagination to submit several Petit Bateau items to resourceful torture-tests, thanks to great inventions.
Dir. Yoni Goodman A young girl runs away from home, feeling the need to escape the pain in her world. Not knowing where her path will take her, she heads out on a journey of self discovery.
Dir. Francesco Mazza & Simone Giampaolo In a narrative about love triumphing over fear, Lynx & Birds follows the story of two birds in an Attenborough-esque mockumentary that reveals a chink in the food chain.
Dir. Ben Steer Mamoon follows the story of a mother and her infant child who are forced to leave their home when mysterious, dark shadows envelop the light in which they exist.
Dir. Fausto Montanari A short about identity and learning to accept yourself for who you are. It recounts the tale of a girl who is judged for being different, but finds out she’s not so weird after all.
Dir. Deanna Crisbacher When discusses Crisbacher’s experience with mental illness and how it has impacted her perception of the world. Using CGI as a deeply expressive and communicative medium.
Dir. Ludivine Large-Bessette As the camera moves amongst a group, they fall, one by one, in a random pattern. The film questions the inevitable fatality of the human body and the collective experience.
Dir. Malcolm Rumbles A poem about a woman called Johnny. She is a woman trying to fit in a society, which rejects her. This detachment leads to further rejection, substance abuse and suicide.
Dir. Ralph Briscoe & Jay Stephen A patriotic film celebrating diversity in modern day Britain. My Turtle Dove is a love letter to acceptance, presenting a sociopolitical experimentation of contemporary tolerance.
Dir. Jenn Nkiru This film explores the magic and dynamism of emptiness in a realm where time and space are altered. Past, present and future are considered in the gaps inbetween.
Dir. Cat Auburn Shaken is a short film about an earthquake, but it is also a lens through which issues of immigration and empire can be viewed through ideas from past colonisation.
Dir. Noriko Okaku Adopting the structure of MajorArcana – taken from the Tarot Card – the film includes 22 mystical scenes based on Derbyshire’s history, mythology and regional folklore.
Dir. Johnny Kelly A woman loses her husband, but in the process, finds a houseplant. An unlikely friendship forms between flora and human, but it all starts to turn disastrously ugly.
Dir. Ollie Wolf Imagine robbing a bank and booking yourself an Uber as the getaway car. Gary just did. Through the sage advice of his driver, he catches a glimpse of a more positive lifestyle.
Dir. Daniel Jaffe Struggling with New York living, Dana Schapiro decides to move, saying goodbye to a neighbourhood that can barely remember who she is….
Dir. Runyararo Mapfumo Four young men attend an exhibition preview to celebrate their friend’s academic success in. They find Simbai’s prizewinning masterpiece and are left to observe, but what is it?
Dir. Duncan Cowles Reflecting upon his failed attempts at creating profitable stock footage, a filmmaker reflects on the mundane sides of being trapped inside your own head as a freelancer.
Dir. Rain Kencana Urban nomads are on the hunt for inspiration. They seek solace in forgotten places, marrying organic lands with the metropolitan ideal. How can we exist in transience?
Dir. Paul McLean Paul Mclean directs the story of Rachel Sullivan and her journey from loneliness to reclaimed freedom. A cyclical tale of humanity within overwhelming environments.
Dir. Erin S Murray Wandering a vast landscape alone, a child is consumed by a militaristic lineup that transforms her into a woman. She must choose to be with the group or her independence.
Dir. Derryck Menere At the intersection between fashion and dance, Midnight Bloom delivers a compelling visual composition that flows between light and darkness, depicting female resilience.
Dir. Monica Thomas & Steve Delahoyde A story told with humour and movement, The Wayward Wind is a twist on the “rambling man” archetype, playing upon relationships with women found in the landscape.
Dir. Suzanne Kim Performance artist Thubalethu considers the possibilities of dance, cultivating an improvisational spirit in the vast salt pan of Lake Gairdner, located in South Australia.
Dir. Caleb Yule Capturing the journey of Team Santos, three players from Brighton Table Tennis Club, as they prepare to represent their country at the Down’s Syndrome Championships.
Dir. Ed Perkins Everything changed for Cornelius Walker on 27 November 2000 when Damilola Taylor was killed in what became one of the UK’s most high-profile murder cases.
Dir. Dominique van Olm On the edge of adolescence, Dexter visits his sister for the first time. The two navigate their relationship and dynamic after having lived apart for the last few years.
Dir. Roxy Rezvany Joong-wha Choi, a former soldier in the DPRK, lives in a London suburb. Despite enjoying new found comforts of British life, he struggles to forget a land that betrayed him
Dir. Eldon Booth Never in a thousand years did Larry Woods believe he’d become a shoeshine man. In the 1980s, the flamboyant businessman was “made”, a chauffeur-driven millionaire.
Dir. Thomas Hogben Every crooked lateral incisor or overzealous premolar tells a story. ‘Teeth’ explores the relationship we have with these dental companions and how they impact our lives.
Dir. Richard Mullane The Horse Whisperer highlights the life of Jean François Pignon, a man from the south of France, who was at once captivated by Gazelle, a white horse his father gave him.
Dir. Bugsy Steel Ten minutes before a boxing match, a teenager with Down’s Syndrome fights for his right to get in the ring. An emotive and deeply personal story about overcoming obstacles.
Dir. Luis Germano Audiovisual piece shot in Moscow, dealing with the timely issue of homophobia through a real case of violence against a couple who were based in Russia in 2015.
Dir. Kevin Rios After an intimate and unexpected moment is then shared online, Little Bill tries to cope with the consequences of being a homophobic bully. Timely digital drama.
Dir. Emilia Reid A challenge of the male gaze, this short depicts a woman as she really is, telling a simple story about a moment in her life. lIsaura engages with the lens and the audience.
Dir. Kate Lefoe Dark fears and high hopes drive a young competitive diver as she faces the ten-metre platform. Somersault Pike takes viewers from the top of the jump to the eventual plunge.
Dir. Shiouwen Hong #AREYOUTHERE questions social media identities. The film drifts between digital and physical worlds, revealing the impact of comments, likes, tags and online profiles.
Dir. Leone Balduzzi A story of a group of friends with different personalities, this film for Adidas Originals explores a contemporary need for authenticity from the margins of the mainstream
Dir. Michele Bizzi Inspired by Xerjoff’s nostalgic perfumes, Casamorati is set in an old Italian mansion, where Amanda is thrown into a surreal world where different epochs blend with real life.
Dir. Luis Barreto Carrillo & Amber Moelter Each chapter a true story, I Am An Individual celebrates unique human identities through five personal stories of love, appearance, friendship, empowerment and dreams
Dir. Kathryn Ferguson Commissioned by Hot Air, Selfridges’ own broadcasting platform, this film explores the concept of luxury from the point of view of three diverse, radical creative talents.
Dir. Boldizsár CR Perfect One is a psychological film inspired by the teenage experience. It raises poignant questions about living in today’s world, unearthing everyday societal pressures.
Dir. Brandon Kapelow Reflecting Tispur’s dreamy, nostalgic soundscapes, this film follows a young boy’s adventures in the natural world, evoking a sense of freedom and childhood memories.
Dir. Ian Pons Jewell Sevdaliza mourns the death of her lover as we witness the final departure of his soul. Deeply cinematic, this effective piece offers dark, intriguing visuals that linger in the mind.
Dir. Taz Tron Delix This video for London-based rap trio Strangelove takes a surreal, nightmarish approach to depicting urban life, addressing larger ideas of alienation and disconnection.
Dir. Taz Tron Delix No White God investigates issues of cultural oppression and established power structures, crafting a new narrative through dynamic aesthetics and distinctive imagery.
Dir. James Ayling A life ruined by extreme events ends with a desperate act. Reflecting on an innocent youth, the main character is reminded of his passion which he uses to aid his recovery.
Dir. Bailey Tom Bailey Featuring the music of Bastien Keb, this short follows the steps of a teenage couple torn apart by the dark influence of the city and a mysterious yet pervasive black liquid.