Synopsis: An exploration of the feelings that lead to self-harm, and the process of self-reconciliation and healing. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 2 Country: China, United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:46

Synopsis: Transgender femme individuals seek a voice that reflects their gender identity. Guided by a trans vocal coach, the film weaves together stories from different stages of people's journeys. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: LGBTQIA+ Documentary Shorts...

Synopsis: Directed by: Genre: Screening: Northern Exposure: Film Hub North Showcase Screening Country: Premiere: Duration:

Synopsis: A love letter to the act of hand-making, traditional craft practices, and the people who love them. Stemming from the fear of these artforms slipping away in a society that no longer values the human labour behind them. Directed by: Genre: Documentary,...

Synopsis: Two people tune into each other across the noise of the world. When the signal fades, what remains? Directed by: Genre: Animation, Drama Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:42

Synopsis: June and Evan are a happy couple who have never really disagreed on anything. Until a zombie comes knocking on their door. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Horror Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 3 Country: United Kingdom Premiere:...

Synopsis: In a crumbling Indian town, three retired men protest machines replacing human jobs by pretending to be household appliances. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama Screening: Country: India Premiere: North East Premiere Duration: 10:35

Synopsis: The story of TRUK United, a grassroots, proudly trans football club. Filmed over two years, this documentary captures the team’s highs and lows on and off the pitch as they create a safe haven for their community in the face of rising transphobia. Directed...

Synopsis: In 2024, Shelter North East spoke to 39 individuals who were sleeping rough in Newcastle. Their experiences of homelessness and ideas for solutions are insights that must shape our response. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Local Documentary Shorts...

Synopsis: Freelance artist Becky has a week to finish a project and the clock is ticking - can she pull off the best painting of her career, nay, of her generation? Or will her demons catch up to her and suck her into an emotional vortex of her own making? Directed...

Synopsis: Liverpool, 1995. The dockers are on strike. But Siobhan and her big brother Rory have other things on their mind: will their heroes Oasis beat Blur in tonight's Battle of Britpop? Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Drama Shorts Screening 2 Country: United...

Synopsis: "People often talk about their relatives looking down on them after they die. I have never found comfort in this." Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Comedy Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom, Serbia Premiere: Duration: 02:10

Synopsis: Directed by: Genre: Screening: Royal Television Society: North East & The Borders Student Winners Country: Premiere: Duration:

Synopsis: A woman wakes up on a London night bus and is provoked by a series of passengers; setting her on a bloody journey of self-discovery. Directed by: Genre: Horror Screening: Horror Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 15:00

Synopsis: A young British-Ugandan girl's classroom show-and-tell unlocks a dreamlike journey into her heritage. Directed by: Genre: Dance, Drama Screening: Dance Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 06:23

Synopsis: - Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:08

Synopsis: Stuck in a stagnant moment of her marriage, Kay orchestrates an evening away from family responsibilities to pursue a surprising liaison... Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama Screening: UK Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: A series of short stories revealing the previously undocumented talents of mice. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 02:34

Synopsis: Haunted by rising sea levels, a daughter digs up her father’s grave to move his body to higher ground. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 14:47

Synopsis: Ultra marathon runner and running coach Allie Bailey discusses her struggles with addiction and depression. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Local Documentary Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 20:17

Synopsis: When a teenage girl’s body-image fears become physical, she decides to destroy them — quite literally. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 3 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 07:07

Synopsis: A mother dances through her morning ritual, preparing breakfast for her family. As time passes, the dance gets harder and harder to perform. Directed by: Genre: Dance, Drama Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 05:48

Synopsis: In the remote Kurdish mountains, young Baran discovers a passion for music that contrasts with her family’s traditional expectations. Despite restrictions, she creates a unique walnut instrument, finding expression and connection with the outside world....

Synopsis: - Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: North East Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:51

Synopsis: Explores a man's relationship with touch following a traumatic event. Directed by: Genre: Experimental Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:10

Synopsis: There is a photograph of a child left on the moon, a golf ball, flags, a lost glove. When the glamour of space exploration fades, what remains? Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: A mother in Iran considers selling her organs to save her daughter, while in the United States, a doctor faces ethical dilemmas to save his own child. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: International Shorts Showcase Screening 1 Country: Canada, Iran,...

Synopsis: Thea has five minutes to spare before a very important call. Just enough time for a quick chat with a mental health crisis official. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Drama Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:54

Synopsis: - Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 04:06

Synopsis: A young man is forced to confront feelings of self-rejection and isolation as he struggles to express his love for his best friend. Directed by: Genre: Drama, LGBT, Experimental Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 07:06

Synopsis: Traces the arc of a friendship interrupted by a cancer diagnosis. The film is a conversation between two timelines — the one we lived, and the film we never got to finish. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Experimental Screening: Documentary Shorts Screening...

Synopsis: Two boys on a journey of self-acceptance and love – for each other and themselves. Based on Dean Atta’s eponymous poem. Directed by: Genre: Animation, LGBT Screening: BIFA Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 08:54

Synopsis: Newly disabled Lizzie is finally moving out of her Mum’s house and back in with her best friends. But although she wants her independence back, easy tasks have become physical feats: every molehill is a mountain. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Comedy Screening:...

Synopsis: TROLSK — a Norwegian word meaning eerie and enchanted by nature. Filmed in the Arctic Circle, TROLSK conjures the folklore of northern Norway — the Draugr, Huldra, and Troll. Directed by: Genre: Experimental Screening: Art and Experimental Shorts Screening...

Synopsis: A young man is released from prison and has to face up to the lie that his estranged daughter has been led to believe – that he was in space. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Sci-fi Screening: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere:...

Synopsis: When a lost letter from Charlie arrives ten years too late, William must uncover a repressed memory and face a painful truth about his past. Directed by: Genre: Drama, LGBT Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 16:55

Synopsis: A young man, determined to end it all, is repeatedly interrupted by his elderly neighbor, who keeps knocking on his door with increasingly absurd requests to bake a Bundt cake. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama Screening: Country: Italy Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: In Victorian England, Julia runs an apothecary shop that sells deadly poison to women in need of escape from their domineering husbands. Theodora Finchley will be her most significant client yet, possessing the potential to unravel her schemes... Directed...

Synopsis: Based on the short story by Philip K. Dick. On a distant planet all life has been annihilated through war, but when a group of scientists decide to explore the surface they find a terrifying automatic weapon which still functions. Directed by: Genre: Sci-fi,...

Synopsis: A young man, tasked with watching over his girlfriend’s family home on the day of her older sister’s wedding, must protect the customary Indian wedding gifts of gold that lie within. But he never predicted who he would have to guard against… Directed by:...

Synopsis: In a large manor house identical figures eat the same, move the same, look the same. But everything will change for one woman when she gets given an orange by an unknown figure. Directed by: Genre: Animation, LGBT, Experimental Screening: Country: United...

Synopsis: Haunted by a glimpse of Death in the form of a black dog, a man embarks on a desperate search across the Sussex landscape, determined to ask them a life-changing question. Directed by: Genre: Animation, Fantasy Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 2...

Synopsis: A late night office worker is disturbed by something mysterious in the dark. Directed by: Genre: Thriller Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:20

Synopsis: Irwin Win-Win (The Geordie Hunter) explores Sunderland before a derby, encountering "Mackems" – a unique species. The investigation involves unusual rituals and observations of local wildlife. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Opening Night Shorts...

Synopsis: A man has an existential crisis trying to work out who the mysterious man is that he waves at. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sci-fi Screening: Comedy Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 10:38

Synopsis: A queer activist's faith is challenged as he commits to a life of protesting preachers. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, LGBT Screening: LGBTQIA+ Documentary Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 16:26

Synopsis: Directed by: Genre: Screening: Northern Exposure: Film Hub North Showcase Screening Country: Premiere: Duration:

Synopsis: A man relaxing on his couch is sucked into another world by mysterious creatures. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 2 Country: Sweden Premiere: Duration: 04:00

Synopsis: A man’s attempts to get his girlfriend back by fixing his slobbish ways are complicated by his cat’s increasingly large clumps of shedded fur. Directed by: Genre: Horror, Comedy Screening: Opening Night Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere:...

Synopsis: Sophie, an ambitious novice, walks a razor’s edge as her interview with titan of industry Henry Mann descends into a squalid power play. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Thriller Screening: Thriller Shorts Screening Country: Germany, France, United Kingdom...

Synopsis: On a stormy night, a young waitress is confronted by a mysterious older woman. Their brief encounter stirs something the waitress can’t quite explain—a strange sense that this moment matters more than she knows… Directed by: Genre: Drama, Sci-fi Screening:...

Synopsis: Directed by: Genre: Screening: Northern Exposure: Film Hub North Showcase Screening Country: Premiere: Duration:

Synopsis: Wayne thought his story was over. Battling years of silent suffering, he sat on a bench, ready to give up. But that moment of despair became the spark for something extraordinary. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Local Documentary Shorts Showcase...

Synopsis: When Scott loses his favourite sock, he goes on a mission to reunite the pair. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 02:50

Synopsis: The race to save our collective visual history from a deepfake AI future will be won or lost in the next few months. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Documentary Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 13:20

Synopsis: When Alan finds out he only has a month to live, he faces his darkest fear. Not death, but the discovery of his biggest and most embarrassing secret: his wife, Tania. Because Tania isn't real; Tania is a mannequin. And no one else knows about her. Directed...

Synopsis: A bold visual anthem about carving your own path and owning every step forward. Bursting with color, rhythm and dance, it’s a celebration of identity and the unapologetic freedom to live life on your own terms. Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening:...

Synopsis: A poetic love letter to the enduring strength of Black women across generations: from a young girl diving into joy, to Great Britain’s first and only Black female Olympic swimmer, to a woman learning to swim at 54, defying a legacy of inherited fear....

Synopsis: An exploration of depression and loss in Glasgow, through stories of the lives of the great composers. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: UK Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 12:36

Synopsis: Stroke survivors share their stories about the mental and physical struggles they face and the importance of community within their recovery. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Animation, Experimental Screening: Documentary Shorts Screening 1 Country: United...

Synopsis: It's Stella's 18th birthday and she's finally leaving care. As she waits to reunite with her mam, she shares pivotal moments from her childhood that led to her ending up in the system. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: North East Shorts Showcase Country:...

Synopsis: Strangers ponder our attitudes towards death and dying - reflecting on how a conversation over tea and coffee at a ‘Death Cafe’ might make broaching the subject a little less terrifying. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Animation, Experimental Screening:...

Synopsis: Ill at ease in her new home, Didi comes across an enchanting statue in the garden which helps her appreciate the heritage of her new neighbourhood through an unexpected journey back in time. Directed by: Genre: Animation, Fantasy Screening: Animation Shorts...

Synopsis: Directed by: Genre: Screening: Northern Exposure: Film Hub North Showcase Screening Country: Premiere: Duration:

Synopsis: Trapped in a cycle of debt, Worm has been hardened by years as witness and accessory to cold-blooded exploitation. A final gamble for freedom allows her a chance to regain her humanity and autonomy over her fate. Directed by: Genre: Thriller, Horror...

Synopsis: A middle-aged recluse spirals into sexual mania when he is seduced by his television. Directed by: Genre: Horror Screening: Horror Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 09:01

Synopsis: An experimental short exploring the chaotic and unifying synthesis of music, sound, and dance within London's busy and maddening cityscape. Directed by: Genre: Dance Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 07:33

Synopsis: During the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, a young boy must protect his family from an unknown threat in their remote, isolated home. Directed by: Genre: Horror Screening: Horror Shorts Screening Country: Slovenia Premiere: Duration: 15:49

Synopsis: In the 1970s, an astronaut looking down at Earth from space observes an average man going about his daily life. Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:12

Synopsis: A rural community led by a sadistic Butcher will do all it can to see a young local carry on their ritualistic traditions. Directed by: Genre: Horror, Comedy Screening: Horror Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: North East Premiere Duration:...

Synopsis: Inside the Byker Wall, Dani looks for her missing football and absent father. What she finds is a dark family secret that will change everything. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Opening Night Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere: North East...

Synopsis: Sakura and Fuji: one fleeting, one eternal, falling for one another through the spring. A poetic take on love, time, and letting go. Directed by: Genre: Dance Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 05:08

Synopsis: After discovering an impossible archway in her father's workshop, a grieving daughter battles between staying in the past or taking a leap of faith. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Fantasy Screening: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom...

Synopsis: Haunted by her late mother's praise of her smooth skin, Chikana hits 30 and begins to obsess over her developing wrinkles. Without the money or motivation for Botox, she concocts an absurd and extreme way to stop them in their tracks. Directed by: Genre:...

Synopsis: One telescopic step for man, one giant leap for mankind. This short documentary follows the invention of the telescopic ladder and asks the question, do you ever truly own an idea? Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Documentary Shorts Screening 1...

Synopsis: The notorious Vultures gang have overthrown the Crushed Velvet Cabaret bar to profit off the backs of hardworking showgirls. Only one moustachioed heroine and a crate of bananas can unite the forces of good in light of such evil. Directed by: Genre: Music...

Synopsis: Teenager Jack moves between the suffocating monotony of home and a brutal confrontation in a remote barn, where he's handed a hammer, a handful of rusty nails, and a choice. Directed by: Genre: Experimental, Drama Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere:...

Synopsis: In the legendary Yorkshire Rhubarb Triangle, Jo and her elderly father produce the pink delicacy that made the region world-famous a century ago. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: North East Premiere Duration:...

Synopsis: Bound by ritual, a reclusive healer consumes his community's pain, when one offering forces him to regurgitate the burdens of his own past. Directed by: Genre: Experimental, Drama Screening: Royal Television Society: North East & The Borders Student Winners...

Synopsis: After her mother's overdose, teen Red Riding moves from London to her estranged grandmother's Scottish estate, where dark family secrets, missing children, and a monstrous wolf blur reality, forcing her to fight for survival. Directed by: Genre: Horror,...

Synopsis: After a volcanic eruption, Ramón walks the island of La Palma with his microphone, looking for ghosts. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Country: Spain, Canada, Mexico Premiere: UK Premiere Duration: 07:28

Synopsis: A young stuntman embarks on the most perilous - and illegal - project of his life. With the police hot on his trail, and an arduous mission to reach the takeoff, the jump itself is only half the challenge. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening:...

Synopsis: Diana, a 22-year-old mother, is awaiting her partner’s return so they can move to England together. However, their reunion brings more trouble than relief. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Country: Poland Premiere: Duration: 11:11

Synopsis: A doctor's last day before maternity leave is thrown into chaos when a hidden threat emerges. Directed by: Genre: Horror, Thriller Screening: Thriller Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 12:02

Synopsis: No money, sh*t-loads of time, and endless imagination: When Lenny and Mullet decide to turn an abandoned car into a DIY spaceship, a new mission ignites - the ultimate escape from the rundown playground they call home. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Sci-fi,...

Synopsis: A filmmaker investigates a controversial new "Jewish" bus route in London in this wry, low-fi documentary which explores the depth of our society's confirmation bias. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Experimental, Comedy Screening: Comedy Shorts Screening...

Synopsis: In a British-Ghanaian household bound by tradition and religion, a young girl lives under the oppressive control of her abusive father. Heated arguments reveal the deep rift between them as they confront the scars of their shared history. Directed by: Genre:...

Synopsis: Deen Peels needs sleep, but the world just won't shut up... Over one relentless night, he’s determined to take back control — even if it kills him. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Comedy Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom, Spain Premiere: North...

Synopsis: - Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:18

Synopsis: Struggling with alcohol addiction and mental illness, an artist reaches out to an old friend. Directed by: Genre: Animation, Experimental Screening: Art and Experimental Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 10:56

Synopsis: Explores the impact of dementia through the relationship between a father and his daughter. Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 04:20

Synopsis: Two completely random and unconnected events? Or is there a strange supernatural link between Ethan's online infidelity and his girlfriend, Georgia's horrifying skin rash... Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Horror Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom...

Synopsis: - Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 04:22

Synopsis: A withdrawn young woman is forced to confront her unresolved trauma when a provocative artwork exposes her best friend, pushing both women to reckon with consent, complicity, and the quiet fractures in their friendship. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening:...

Synopsis: A pair of flag-waving Brits go to sea to stop the Refugee Small Boats. But their naval fantasy falls apart, and they are forced to beg for rescue from the very people they set out to stop. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: UK Shorts Screening 1 Country:...

Synopsis: A surreal fever dream seen through the eyes of a woman trapped in orbit around a charming man‑child — the self‑crowned king of his crayon‑colored world. Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: Austria Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: In 1970s Finland, it is illegal to be homosexual. Elsie, who is confined in an institution because of her sexuality, decides to escape to Sweden with the help of her best friend. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Thriller Screening: International Shorts Showcase...

Synopsis: In a pioneering co-housing project, 26 women over 50 are rewriting the script on ageing. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Documentary Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: UK Premiere Duration: 14:06

Synopsis: Everyone knows Neil Armstrong came back from the moon in 1969 – but it wasn’t until three years later, when the people of a tiny Scottish town stepped in, that he finally got home. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Documentary Shorts Screening 2...

Synopsis: A joyful young skydiver in 1960s Central Asia receives an extraordinary phone call from her granddaughter in 2022. She is worried about her grandmother's safety amid the invasion of Ukraine. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Animation Screening: International...

Synopsis: When Nathan finally admits a "hilarious" jaw-dropping family secret, he swiftly realises his parents’ warped patriotism is his inheritance, not a punchline. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama Screening: North East Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom...

Synopsis: Marlon and Murry (Murewa) form a deep boyhood friendship, but as they grow older, their lives take different turns. Marlon leaves for university in London, while Murry, facing mounting pressure at home, makes choices that lead to prison. Directed by: Genre:...

Synopsis: Directed by: Genre: Screening: Royal Television Society: North East & The Borders Student Winners Country: Premiere: Duration:

Synopsis: A hybrid documentary that examines the relevance of folk music today and how women in the North East of England are reimagining its traditions through contemporary feminist perspectives. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Local Documentary Shorts...

Synopsis: This heartfelt documentary shines a light on the vibrant and resilient film community of the North East, blending stories from grassroots film clubs and passionate industry professionals. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Young, Emerging and Student...

Synopsis: A socially awkward woman attends a speed-dating event to find a new "mum" after losing her own, only to meet a series of bizarre and mismatched maternal candidates. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Opening Night Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom...

Synopsis: A woman brings a funeral urn to a doctor’s appointment, insisting it is her sick son. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 3 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 05:00

Synopsis: 84-year-old May has been the heart and soul of her small farm shop, nestled in a quiet Yorkshire village along the Pennine Way, for over fifty years. More than just a place to buy essentials, May's shop is a cornerstone of the community. Directed by: Genre:...

Synopsis: The Society of Peeping Toms is interviewing for its newest member, but one small issue might raise a few eyebrows. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Comedy Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: World Premiere Duration: 06:05

Synopsis: After remembering a family-woven island tale, young Ailsa ventures into a dreamlike world, in search of her absent father and a way to heal their hearts. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere:...

Synopsis: A harried thirty-something woman is forced to decide whether she wants to be a mother after giving birth to her reproductive organs at her sister’s baby shower. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom,...

Synopsis: Directed by: Genre: Screening: Northern Exposure: Film Hub North Showcase Screening Country: Premiere: Duration:

Synopsis: From the confines of the supermarket staff room, a Christmas Temp dips her toe into the little-known world of Financial Domination. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 15:50

Synopsis: Directed by: Genre: Screening: Country: Premiere: Duration:

Synopsis: At a Youth Obsession Recovery session, each participant begins to reveal their unusually quirky fixations. The film showcases the imagination, humour, and emerging talent of the Washington Young Film Makers group. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Young,...

Synopsis: When an estate agent welcomes a couple into a flat, the pair instantly settle into an absurdly intimate domestic routine, complete with bickering, flirtation, and spiralling resentments. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Comedy Shorts Screening Country:...

Synopsis: Tensions arise amidst the heat of a Pakistani takeaway. Directed by: Genre: Drama, LGBT Screening: BIFA Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 18:38

Synopsis: On his 40th birthday, Thomas believes he has found a lucky penny that will flip his streak of misfortune; but when his brother, Andy, turns up unannounced with a gift, that belief is tested to the limit. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Opening Night...

Synopsis: Fresh from prison, Chrissie goes in search of her estranged mother. Forced to live on the streets, she looks for love in all the wrong places. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Drama Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: Alan is the British founding father of cryonics — freezing the dead with the hope of reviving them in the future. When his wife dies, he honours their promise by preserving her, dreaming of one day reuniting. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening:...

Synopsis: When an agent screws up and a mission goes wrong, another operative is tasked with cleaning up the mess, only to find out the hard way that love and bullets don't mix - because the target is his own wife. Directed by: Genre: Thriller, Comedy Screening: Red...

Synopsis: The director's personal story about coming to terms with his body, even as it feels as though he's losing it. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Experimental Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 3 Country: Ireland, Slovenia Premiere:...

Synopsis: At only eleven, Sophie is forced to turn a day of mourning into a journey of discovery and connection. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Drama Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: North East Premiere Duration: 19:23

Synopsis: - Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Opening Night Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 04:52

Synopsis: Since the death of her father, teenager Marie is regularly taken to anti-abortion protests by her dogmatic mother. Then Marie accidentally becomes pregnant herself. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: International Shorts Showcase Screening 1 Country:...

Synopsis: Cumbria, 1998. Terrified he's turned his son queer, closeted dad Rich plots to rig his local pub’s Christmas turkey draw to prove what it means to be a real man. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: Animated music video inspired by the band's own artwork. Directed by: Genre: Music Video, Animation Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 02:15

Synopsis: Growing up with an unconventional single mother – an influencer navigating ageing and body dysmorphia – Meg admires her but questions how it shaped her own self-image. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Documentary Shorts Screening 2 Country: United...

Synopsis: A Lynchian music video for North East dark trip hop band, Moss. Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:56

Synopsis: A chance meeting at a launderette sparks an intense emotional intimacy between Vinnie and Ryan. Closeness blurs into desire, and unspoken expectations force them to confront what love demands before it fractures everything they have built. Directed by:...

Synopsis: After falling short of his athletic dreams, a once-promising Ugandan runner rediscovers purpose - using the power of sport to rebuild his broken community and to honour his trainer’s life. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: International Documentary...

Synopsis: Merlyn, a transgender wizard, really wants a beard to fit in and match his idols. Directed by: Genre: Animation, LGBT Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 02:47

Synopsis: An art conservator is torn between preserving a polished ideal and its unvarnished past. Menders depicts restoration as a dynamic process of making, unmaking, and remaking, through hand-made mixed-media animation. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Animation,...

Synopsis: In the South Wales Valleys, the death of Dadi leaves the fate of the farm to one of three dysfunctional siblings. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Comedy Screening: Women X Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 16:14

Synopsis: When his uncle arrives, a young boy escapes into a fragile fantasy where he imagines himself as a lamb, transforming fear and trauma into a strange and unsettling refuge. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Fantasy Screening: International Shorts Showcase Screening 1...

Synopsis: When a cantankerous widower agrees to teach his son’s unemployed girlfriend to drive, things get off to a terrible start. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Comedy Screening: UK Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 20:20

Synopsis: At a virtual reality house party, an insecure woman becomes fascinated by a mysterious man without a face filter. Directed by: Genre: Sci-fi, Experimental Screening: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: A lonely girl fantasises about possessing the looks of her celebrity idol and winning the heart of her unrequited love. Perhaps she should have been more careful what she wished for... Directed by: Genre: Animation, Experimental, Horror Screening: Animation...

Synopsis: A young Syrian refugee struggles to feel at home in the UK without his parents. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Drama Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 18:59

Synopsis: Interrobang’s foray into the toxic masculinity debate pulls no punches whilst using humour and ridicule to expose the bankruptcy of this particular poisonous cult. Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom...

Synopsis: As winter approaches and the seasonal drought hits his small business, a lifelong farmer finds an opportunity to spend time with his family. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Comedy Screening: Local Documentary Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom, Italy...

Synopsis: Directed by: Genre: Screening: Northern Exposure: Film Hub North Showcase Screening Country: Premiere: Duration:

Synopsis: How late is too late to start over? A portrait of a woman who stops playing by the rules – and risks everything to finally be herself. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: International Documentary Shorts Screening Country: Germany Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: Three generations of women discuss family memories of conflict and struggle in Northern Ireland. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Animation Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 3 Country: United Kingdom, Ireland Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: Jackie is forced out of retirement as she struggles with the cost of living, and begins working at a storage unit facility. On her first day, Jackie loses her way and is tormented by a shadow. Directed by: Genre: Horror, Thriller Screening: Young, Emerging...

Synopsis: - Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: France, Luxembourg, United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 01:52

Synopsis: A woman works out the best way to kill an unconscious enemy general who has sought refuge in her tent. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama Screening: Women X Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 10:47

Synopsis: A struggling baker’s life takes a turn after a violent confrontation awakens a hunger for justice. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Horror Screening: Thriller Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 10:25

Synopsis: In a vast cathedral devoted to a strange, otherworldly deity, a young girl offers gifts that begin as harmless tokens of devotion but escalate into brutal sacrifices of her own body. Directed by: Genre: Music Video, Animation Screening: Music Video Screening...

Synopsis: A short film about the South London-based Polish song and dance company Karolinka. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 04:20

Synopsis: Follows Roy, a recently retired Police dog handler whose routine takes an unexpected turn when he invites a shoplifting door-to-door salesman into his home. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Thriller Screening: Thriller Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom...

Synopsis: Two young women struggle to connect over the grief and absurdity of womanhood—until an innocent children's game forces them to confront their true feelings. Directed by: Genre: Experimental Screening: Art and Experimental Shorts Screening Country: United...

Synopsis: - Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Country: France Premiere: Duration: 03:09

Synopsis: Four female stage performers prepare for their debut night, only to discover that the show they were so excited to be part of is a bit of a letdown. Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: At an old-age home in India, two women fall in love in the autumn of their lives. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Romance, LGBT Screening: Country: India Premiere: Duration: 14:44

Synopsis: A glimpse into a mother's matrescence journey: the ecological evolution of being thrown into motherhood, the isolating, maddening and guilt ridden parts shrouded in a beautiful baby bubble. That nobody seems to talk about. Directed by: Genre: Dance,...

Synopsis: There are wounds in life that eat away at you like leprosy… The weight of the death of loved ones sometimes becomes so overwhelming that to get rid of this weight another birth is inevitable. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts...

Synopsis: - Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:50

Synopsis: Explores the history of the area surrounding Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. The film traces a common thread of self-destruction from the Roman Empire to the recent felling of the Sycamore Gap tree. Directed by: Genre: Experimental, Documentary Screening:...

Synopsis: Hind Rajab and her family were murdered by the Israeli Occupation Forces on the 29th of January 2024. The UK is directly participating in the Israeli Genocide of Palestinians. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Animation Screening: Documentary Shorts Screening...

Synopsis: In the Alabama backcountry of 1981, Henry is drifting further from his hard-edged father. Isolated and restless, he finds solace with Linda, the family cow. But comfort, like everything else in Henry's world, has a way of leaving when he needs it most....

Synopsis: It's the day of the King's coronation and Mrs Grinstead’s party plans are in full swing. But when Slap, an eccentric young man, begins performing his latest sonic masterpiece it threatens to derail the entire day. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama Screening:...

Synopsis: A North Shields photographer captures the fishermen of his local community for a new exhibition. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Local Documentary Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 02:15

Synopsis: Hadaway explores the quiet turmoil of being uncomfortable in one’s own skin. It follows a young person grappling with identity and self-acceptance, caught between who they are and who they are expected to be. Directed by: Genre: Horror, Experimental, LGBT...

Synopsis: An insight into ADHD, highlighting the damage and anxiety that can be caused by a well-meaning, but ultimately toxic, parent. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:09

Synopsis: The Cock Tavern is no ordinary East London pub. Renowned for its real ales and larger-than-life regulars, it also plays host to one of the capital’s quirkiest underground traditions: the pickled egg eating competition. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Comedy...

Synopsis: A young married woman collects the sweet memories of her romance. On closer inspection, she leaves bits of herself behind... Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Art and Experimental Shorts Screening Country: Belgium, France Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: Sara, a six-year-old Iranian refugee, sneaks out with her sister to explore their new London estate - but strange encounters blur the line between reality and imagination in a world shaped by loss. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Horror Screening: Country: United...

Synopsis: The Young Women’s Film Academy explore the profound impact of climate change, with a focus on the damaging impact of fast fashion on the mental health of young women in the North East. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Young, Emerging and Student...

Synopsis: When an office worker discovers a caterpillar at work, a forgotten childhood memory resurfaces; one that loops through time, blending the mundane and the magical. Directed by: Genre: Animation, Experimental Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 1 Country:...

Synopsis: A Deaf woman struggles in the aftermath of her father's passing. Friendship, an unexpected turn of events and a simple moment of connection are her salvation. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Comedy Screening: Opening Night Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom...

Synopsis: Jemma’s best friend Lorna has started to pull away from her. When Jemma hosts a wild house party, she’ll have to contend with a whirlwind of obsession, paranoia and anxiety to keep Lorna close, no matter the cost. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Comedy Screening:...

Synopsis: Patrick Wolf was one of the defining musicians of his generation, until his life fell to pieces and music became a painful memory. ‘Howls to the Harbour’ finds Patrick four years into recovery and working on music for the first time in over a decade....

Synopsis: The first time Jack sees Richard, his biological Dad, is before Richard's funeral, where he's been asked to wash and dress the body. When the lifeless body starts talking back to him, Jack has a second chance at a first meeting. Directed by: Genre: Drama...

Synopsis: After years of ghosting, a self-destructive people pleaser desperately grapples with her final chance to save her friendship. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Comedy Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere:...

Synopsis: When a career-criminal returns wounded to his wife and son after a failed robbery, what follows is a hallucinogenic thrill-ride where stakes are high, and bodies are piled even higher. Directed by: Genre: Western, Thriller, Dance Screening: Thriller Shorts...

Synopsis: When the sheep population of a tight-knit farming community mysteriously vanish, an elderly Shepherd becomes the target of suspicion and anger when his meagre flock are miraculously untouched by this freak event. Directed by: Genre: Horror Screening: Horror...

Synopsis: Sick of making TikToks about the best wine bars in North London, burgeoning talent Leo Abbott-Ripley and his trusty cameraman Ralph arrive in a gentrified neighbourhood to make a groundbreaking documentary. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Young,...

Synopsis: Two young boys, Indy and Finn, bond over imaginative filmmaking adventures in the forest of their childhood. As separation looms, their bond is tested, forcing them to confront the bittersweet truths of growing up and letting go. Directed by: Genre: Drama...

Synopsis: In Mexico City, the collection of money from merchants and residents is an everyday occurrence. On a sunny sunday, a merchant has not paid his fee and the sicarios have come to give him an ultimatum. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: International Shorts...

Synopsis: A historian recounts the untold story of Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile on Saint Helena, during which the former emperor wrote the 1812 overture with the help of his telepathic dachshund. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Comedy Shorts Screening Country:...

Synopsis: Born in the depths of a forgotten factory, an automaton follows its programmed curiosity through a silent world of rust and steel that feels strangely familiar. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 1 Country: France Premiere:...

Synopsis: A lonely creature’s desperate struggle for connection in a desolate world, no matter the cost. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 02:56

Synopsis: When Erin and Shona finish a night out on the pink triangle, they stop on the walk home to talk lips, wishes and female beauty standards for women. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:45

Synopsis: A woman's psyche is haunted and fractured by the relentless demands of the predatory industry she sought to break into. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Experimental Screening: Drama Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: North East Premiere...

Synopsis: Burnt-out home carer Kate rushes to meet the needs of her favourite cranky client, Doug. But when he drops some unexpected news, their friendship is tested like never before. Maybe this wasn't the day to finally quit smoking… Directed by: Genre: Drama,...

Synopsis: A visual journey about losing control and letting go. Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Art and Experimental Shorts Screening Country: Austria Premiere: Duration: 04:31

Synopsis: Tyranny and fear grip the country. Led by the resolute Beth, a group of determined women resist the oppressive regime until a sudden return puts all they have built in jeopardy. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Sci-fi Screening: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Shorts Screening...

Synopsis: A surreal psychological drama about a tormented prisoner who undergoes an alternative talking therapy to reframe the memories of his crime. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 16:36

Synopsis: A mouse is scavenging in the King's palace prize porcelain collection, only to be chased by the 'glaze cats' on the surface of the pottery. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Opening Night Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: Against the backdrop of the 1969 moon landing, a group of awkward teenage boys desperate to impress the popular girls embark on a hilariously ambitious mission to transform themselves into ‘astronauts.’ Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video...

Synopsis: A struggling actor tries to survive running an afterschool club while being tormented by an occult presence. Directed by: Genre: Horror Screening: Horror Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 10:11

Synopsis: Drifting through his post-industrial town scavenging for scrap, isolated teenager Sandy finds unexpected purpose after meeting conspiracy theorist Don, who tasks him with destroying a local wind farm. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: North East Shorts...

Synopsis: Siblings Tyler and Paige don't agree with the way their estranged mam has arranged their Nana’s funeral, and impulsively take matters into their own hands. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama Screening: North East Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom...

Synopsis: A paramedic treating a man dying from a gunshot wound is put in an impossible situation. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Thriller Screening: Thriller Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 06:57

Synopsis: A Black transmasculine Uber driver’s car becomes dangerously possessed when a German hippie offloads her trauma demon on a ride through the racially segregated, tourist-infested Cape Town. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller Screening: Thriller...

Synopsis: After a successful date, a couple go back to a hotel room to continue the night, only to discover they share a common, deadly interest. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere:...

Synopsis: When ten-year old Josie Johns met her doppelgänger, it kicked off a decade of intense and bitter rivalry. Now an adult, Josie is about to confront her double, settle some scores, and take back control of her identity once and for all. Directed by: Genre:...

Synopsis: One morning, in one apartment, a couple discover who each other really are when faced by the sounds of domestic violence in the apartment above. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Drama Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: Confronted by an old acquaintance, Lee is taken aback by the question, “Do you have kids?” It has a complex and difficult answer. Directed by: Genre: Experimental, Dance, Drama Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 05:57

Synopsis: An 8mm reel of a Hollywood western flickers to life once more. Directed by: Genre: Experimental, Animation Screening: Art and Experimental Shorts Screening Country: Canada Premiere: North East Premiere Duration: 01:00

Synopsis: Explores themes of love and loneliness within a painterly world reminiscent of Henri Matisse. Directed by: Genre: Music Video, Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:58

Synopsis: Two inept criminals, Cammy and Coops, are tasked with burying their first body in the woods but find themselves at loggerheads when they realise that they’ve only brought one spade. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Thriller Screening: Thriller Shorts Screening...

Synopsis: Desperate for connection, David digs up his brother’s corpse. With their trusty red wagon, they ascend a treacherous mountain in pursuit of their childhood dream. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom,...

Synopsis: For those shaped by migration and marked by generational trauma, dreams become both a refuge and a mirror. This film explores how the unconscious mind reflects collective and personal struggle. Directed by: Genre: Experimental, Documentary Screening: Art and...

Synopsis: A perfectly normal day in the park. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 04:45

Synopsis: - Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 02:56

Synopsis: An office-worker rabbit lives every day trapped in his monotonous, repetitive work cycle. One day on a smoke break, he encounters a wild rabbit, and this event shifts his life forever. Directed by: Genre: Animation, Drama Screening: Young, Emerging and...

Synopsis: A visual poem that explores three expressions of contemporary isolation and the fleeting moments of self reflection that allow people to connect. Directed by: Genre: Experimental, Drama Screening: Art and Experimental Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom...

Synopsis: On a silent winter morning in the North Pennines, a humanoid figure awakens on a windswept hillside. A gentle sci-fi fable about presence, care, and what it means to be human. Directed by: Genre: Sci-fi Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening...

Synopsis: Seven’s a downtrodden Junior Creative at a cosmic agency that creates worlds. Gifted the opportunity to create his dream world, he finds himself in a life or death race to overcome his creative block before his head explodes. Directed by: Genre: Sci-fi,...

Synopsis: At a premiere after-party, a chance encounter with a woman - the only other Asian woman in the room - leads Emiko Jones to remember parts of herself that have been long forgotten and denied. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Musical Screening: Drama Shorts...

Synopsis: As Megan faces her 30th birthday, the pressure to take the “next step” in life is overwhelming. But when her own opinionated ovarian eggs start chiming in on her every move, Megan must decide whose voice to listen to. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama...

Synopsis: A frugal Baz gets more than he bargains for at a charity shop when he is cornered by Phil, an odd charity shop worker, who insists he buy a dusty old wedding dress or face explosive consequences. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Comedy Shorts Screening...

Synopsis: In a dystopian future plagued by toxic red air, a couple’s confinement becomes a battle between hope and despair—as one withers, the other blooms. Directed by: Genre: Sci-fi, Drama, Fantasy Screening: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Shorts Screening Country: United...

Synopsis: It’s 1969, a housewives' soiree; drinking cocktails whilst summoning up an old dead friend. When a spiritual message prompts adolescent Lilith to respond, it alerts us to the demon that lies within. Directed by: Genre: Horror, Thriller, Comedy Screening:...

Synopsis: Directed by: Genre: Screening: Northern Exposure: Film Hub North Showcase Screening Country: Premiere: Duration:

Synopsis: A comedy about a detective cat investigating a dodgy casino and discovering a literal money laundering operation. Directed by: Genre: Animation, Comedy Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: Lucy returns to familiar surroundings to pitch her skill and wits against a malevolent force intent on reclaiming a debt it is owed. Directed by: Genre: Horror Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere:...

Synopsis: James’ prison cell is a state, Ali’s job is to clean it. He’s regretfully agreed to look after his fellow inmate, a ‘wifer’ with dementia. As their unlikely bond grows, Ali discovers the true value of care - and is forced to face what he’s neglected in his...

Synopsis: Directed by: Genre: Screening: Royal Television Society: North East & The Borders Student Winners Country: Premiere: Duration:

Synopsis: After meeting with death for the first time, the well-known environment for four 10-year-old kids becomes ominous. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Country: Georgia Premiere: Duration: 18:16

Synopsis: Young-ok, a lonely old woman, drives others’ cars home, seeking a friendly voice. But harsh words and silent glances greet her, her quiet voice slipping into the dark. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Country: South Korea Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: Propelled into her own mind, Rhi explores the thoughts, fears and impulses that shape our internal world. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 08:21

Synopsis: London-based artist and folklorist, Ben Edge, embarks on his magnum opus - a dramatic, Bosch-inspired altarpiece tracing Britain’s evolution from prehistory to the present. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Experimental Screening: Art and Experimental Shorts...

Synopsis: In a declining fishing village in Cornwall, Samuel and his grandson Vinnie wrestle with grief, connection and the pressures of survival. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 09:58

Synopsis: It's Clara's 17th birthday, and her father Gilles takes her for a driving lesson to keep her busy while he organises her surprise party. Alone in this small, confined cabin, things won't turn out the way Gilles had hoped. Directed by: Genre: Drama, Comedy...

Synopsis: Out on day release and constantly looking over his shoulder, Mark attempts to navigate the streets of Middlesbrough. Although set on repairing his relationships with his ex-partner and daughter, he cannot escape his past mistakes. Directed by: Genre: Drama,...

Synopsis: Unable to get a second date, Mark Silcox attempts to find love by learning to be funny. But could his joking go too far? Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Comedy Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 11:33

Synopsis: Children lie. But when one lie threatens Ms Lawson’s integrity as a teacher, can she keep on defending a student as peculiar as Maria Obasi? Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: UK Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: Depicts the musician in a warped corporate nightmare, and follows his journey to freedom and leaving all that security and safety behind for a chance to experience more. Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom...

Synopsis: Staff at an office crèche fight to protect their children during a zombie outbreak. Directed by: Genre: Animation, Comedy, Horror Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:53

Synopsis: Two friends, lovers, soulmates, a pair of two, searching and ultimately finding each other. Expressed through 15 styles of animation, by 15 animators from across the world. Directed by: Genre: Music Video, Animation Screening: Music Video Screening Country:...

Synopsis: Riding the coach is epic; something that is often forgotten. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Comedy Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 02:42

Synopsis: A short documentary raising awareness surrounding Clare's Law; if your partner has a history of violent or abusive behaviour, you have the right to be told. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 2 Country:...

Synopsis: The first single from Teesside based alt-noise band Benefits sophomore album “Constant Noise”. Shot on a cold, wet night in Middlesbrough. Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: A retro futuristic short film about beauty, identity, and the dangerous pursuit of perfection. Directed by: Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi Screening: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 13:04

Synopsis: One day, while scrolling through his Instagratte feed, Benjamin Efrati meets his algorithm, a giant cosmic cat in neon colors. Directed by: Genre: Music Video, Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 2 Country: France, Hungary Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: Follows a dancer through the ups and downs of her career: the successes, but also the frustrations and uncertainty. Directed by: Genre: Experimental, Dance Screening: Dance Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: North East Premiere Duration:...

Synopsis: In the depth of winter, an estranged mother and daughter plant a bare root hedge, unearthing the loss and heartbreak they have each buried, and exposing their needs for home, and each other. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Women X Shorts Showcase...

Synopsis: A group of four students are about to do an exam, but the teacher becomes increasingly frustrated by all the noise they are making. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: International Documentary Shorts Screening Country: Belgium Premiere: UK Premiere...

Synopsis: A girl finds a mysterious artefact and brings it home to her widowed father, but it reminds him of the creature who caused his wife's disappearance. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 3 Country: United...

Synopsis: In the stillness of a rainy night, a curious firefly appears in the countryside. It invites us to join a mysterious figure in the clouds and embark on an imaginary celestial journey. Directed by: Genre: Music Video, Animation Screening: Country: France...

Synopsis: Bliss is 26, lonely, and convinced she’s a vampire slayer. But when her housemate Molly takes her bullying a step too far, Bliss concludes that the demons she’s hunting have been under her roof the whole time… Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Horror Screening:...

Synopsis: In the 1970’s, lesbians across the United States moved out to wild, untamed landscapes to build a world without men. Some of them never left. 50 years on, Beyond Eden follows some of the ageing original Land Dykes. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, LGBT...

Synopsis: The remarkable story of peace activist Jo Berry who, against all advice, found understanding and decided to meet the IRA bomber who killed her father. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 3 Country: United...

Synopsis: A poignant and poetic exploration of the rise and decline of Luton’s once vibrant Caribbean culture. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Documentary Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 16:18

Synopsis: A poetic short film exploring the essence of belonging and human connection. In an industrial world, two contrasting, newly born beings meet and form a deep, spiritual bond. Directed by: Genre: Dance, Experimental Screening: Dance Shorts Screening Country:...

Synopsis: Isaac weaves through various friends at a Bonfire night, wondering whether he should send pictures to the man on his phone. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 05:20

Synopsis: November 5th. Ethan, a young boy, expects to miss the Bonfire. Unbeknownst to him, tragedy is occurring, and this will be the night his life changes forever. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 3 Country: United...

Synopsis: A lonely young man lives on a remote rock, dreaming of a connection he’s never experienced. Directed by: Genre: Animation, Experimental Screening: Country: Hungary Premiere: Duration: 05:43

Synopsis: - Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 02:54

Synopsis: Can a dog still be man’s best friend if that man is the Führer? Blondi explores the bizarre bond between Hitler and his beloved German Shepherd. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama Screening: Drama Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration:...

Synopsis: As the pressures of daily life close in, Kyle retreats to a familiar device for comfort, only to discover that escape comes at a cost. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Royal Television Society: North East & The Borders Student Winners Country: United...

Synopsis: A disenfranchised birdwatcher heads into the woods to find solitude from society, but events soon conspire against her. Will she go to extreme lengths to preserve her tranquillity? Directed by: Genre: Thriller Screening: North East Shorts Showcase Country:...

Synopsis: Follows Lucy, a 23 year old newly qualified teacher, through her first year of teaching. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: BIFA Shorts Showcase Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 16:08

Synopsis: At a midnight highway rest area, the weary travelers each quietly relax their minds. Directed by: Genre: Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 2 Country: Japan Premiere: Duration: 11:34

Synopsis: When Mark gives up his engineering career to pursue his passion, he unearths a deep sense of purpose that leads him to craft a unique legacy. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Documentary Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere:...

Synopsis: A personal account of the filmmaker’s parents as they face the challenges of Parkinson’s and dementia. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: Documentary Shorts Screening 2 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 13:54

Synopsis: Filmed during the Black Cats' successful play-off campaign and return to the Premier League, 'Til the End' is an uplifting hometown anthem - a black cat rap for the backpack brats, until the end of time... We Are Sunderland! Directed by: Genre: Music Video...

Synopsis: After being captured in the forest by a strange and enigmatic man, a young man breaks free, only to be swept into a dreamlike voyage through his past, present, and future. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 2...

Synopsis: During wartime, a pregnant woman anxiously awaits the birth of her child while facing numerous challenges. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: International Documentary Shorts Screening Country: Iran Premiere: Duration: 14:48

Synopsis: A team of workers, including Soo, is sent to planet Gliese 12b to build a gravitational portal. To conserve energy, each worker is allowed to speak only 138 words per day. Directed by: Genre: Sci-Fi, Animation Screening: Animation Shorts Screening 1 Country:...

Synopsis: A Palestinian chef uses his hobby as a shield against the famine caused by the war on Gaza, preserving the spirit of resilience and hope within his community. Directed by: Genre: Documentary Screening: International Documentary Shorts Screening Country:...

Synopsis: What starts as innocent conversation on the train exposes the regrets two men have over their friendship, which – years ago – nearly became something more. Directed by: Genre: Drama, LGBT Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 1 Country:...

Synopsis: Amateur Ornithologist's Christmas single. The video combines stop motion animation and 8mm aesthetics. Directed by: Genre: Music Video, Animation Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 04:12

Synopsis: A woman gets possessed by a coat. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Horror Screening: Comedy Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 14:06

Synopsis: - Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Music Video Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 03:16

Synopsis: An artist in sheep's clothing. Directed by: Genre: Comedy Screening: Comedy Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 04:32

Synopsis: Dancers Isaac Glenister and Shannon Kate Platt bring the story of "Tiempo Perdido" to life through powerful contemporary dance. Directed by: Genre: Music Video Screening: Dance Shorts Screening Country: United Kingdom Premiere: World Premiere Duration:...

Synopsis: A father, lost in grief for his daughter, retraces the places, moments and memories that haunt him. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: Duration: 05:27

Synopsis: A gifted young harpist strives to join the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. As her audition approaches, she must overcome an overbearing mother and a hidden health condition that threatens to derail her dream. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: Drama Shorts...

Synopsis: Clara, in the final weeks of her pregnancy, suffers dizzying distortions to her vision. However, Nigel, a middle-aged optician, implies she is simply being melodramatic. Directed by: Genre: Comedy, Drama Screening: Young, Emerging and Student Shorts...

Synopsis: A grandmother recounts her childhood experiences living in wartime London. Directed by: Genre: Documentary, Animation Screening: International Documentary Shorts Screening Country: New Zealand Premiere: Duration: 08:00

Synopsis: Tabby and her dad always get their photo taken on her birthday—one of their traditions. But this year, missing her mum, she can’t see the point. Directed by: Genre: Drama Screening: UK Shorts Screening 1 Country: United Kingdom Premiere: World Premiere...