Events, Masterclasses & Workshops
Sunderland Shorts Film Festival isn’t just a chance to see some of the best new films from around the world, but an opportunity to learn and develop new skills as well as meet like minded filmmakers and film lovers.
Explore our Events, Masterclasses & Workshops to see what is on offer as part of this year’s festival.
Please note, our workshops and masterclasses are ticketed separately from Individual Day Tickets and Festival Passes.
12/05/2025 – 18/05/2025
Sunderland Shorts Film Festival 2025 Poster Exhibition
Expo Sunderland Pavillion
We’re holding a special exhibition of film posters at the Expo Sunderland Pavillion representing over 60 films which are showing across the festival this year. As well as celebrating these fantastic pieces of poster art, this will give audiences a feel of the types of short films, animations and music videos they will be able to experience across the festival.
Situated in Keel Square, this striking modern structure features one of the UK’s largest semi-transparent LED screens, measuring an impressive 20m x 5m. Below the screen is a versatile events space, perfect for a variety of occasions and experiences.
Designed to educate, inspire and influence, the Pavilion represents a bold step forward for Sunderland as a Smart City and a hub for innovation. In collaboration with Culture House, its programme promises to captivate and engage visitors through an exciting mix of exhibitions and live events. In advance of Culture House opening its doors later this year, the Pavilion will serve as a space for the local community to explore emerging technologies and experience multimedia storytelling aimed at captivating the imagination of audiences locally, nationally and internationally.
14/05/25
Chess Tomlinson: TV Treatment Writing Masterclass
17:00 – City Library
Wondering how to expand a short form story into a televisual world?
This session, delivered by Chess Tomlinson is aimed at new and emerging writers on making that eye-catching Treatment ready to send to production companies in the TV industry.
A television treatment is a concise, narrative style document that summarises a TV series concept, highlighting key story elements, characters and tone. It’s a crucial tool for pitching production companies, offering a detailed yet easily digestible overview of your show idea. But how to make it POP?
Chess Tomlinson is a comedy writer/performer based in the North East, they have worked with established and indie production companies to develop their own shows. Now teaching screenwriting courses for New Writing North and chairing industry panels.
14/05/2025
Field Music: A Music Video Retrospective
21:00 – Pop Recs
Peter and David Brewis of Sunderland’s own Field Music guide us through twenty years of music videography, and show us exactly what can happen when a smidgeon of inspiration and the odd over-ambitious tendency meet the very real constraints of budget, time and a wavering level of expertise.
15/05/2025
IN THE VEINS: THE NORTH EAST FILM ARCHIVE AT SUNDERLAND SHORTS
17:00 – THE David Puttman Media Centre Cinema
‘In the Veins’ is a short film that resonates through time, using over a century of archive footage to shine a light onto the face of the mining heritage of Yorkshire and the North East of England.
“Some people have blood running through their veins, I think we’ve got coal dust!” ~ Miner’s daughter
A story of hardship and hope, division and defiance, perseverance and pride; this is not a history lesson, it’s an emotional journey that digs deep into the heart of a community built on coal.
This screening will be followed by a discussion by Graham Relton, Archive Manager of Yorkshire and North East Film Archive and Sunderland Shorts Festival Director Chris Allan, looking into the work the Archive does and uncovering the process of this significant film.
16/05/2025
Aardman© Model Making Workshop: Gromit
12:30 – 13:30 – At City Hall, Sunderland
Join us for a fun and hands on Aardman© model making session. You’ll be able to get creative with clay and make a Gromit to take home with you. The session will be run by an expert model maker, who has worked on some of Aardman’s best loved productions. They have lots of great anecdotes and insights into the wonderful world of Aardman to share too!
Tickets for this event are £3 to cover materials needed for the workshop.
16/05/2025
FILMMAKER ROUNDTABLE: FILM HUB NORTH, NEW WRITING NORTH & NORTH EAST SCREEN
13:00 – 14:00 – At City Hall, Sunderland
We welcome Film Hub North, New Writing North and North East Screen for a special roundtable event at Sunderland Shorts 2025.
This event is aimed at early career writers, directors and producers based in the North who are looking to learn how to break into the film industry, from making your first short through to funding and support for feature film and screen-based projects. This informal session will be an opportunity to meet fellow filmmakers and ask questions to our industry panel.
Hosted by Jen Bradfield, BFI Network Talent Executive at Film Hub North; Roxy Mckenna, Screen Development Producer at New Writing North; Sam Barnett, Talent Producer at Film Hub North; and Lisa Laws, Development Director at North East Screen.
16/05/2025
Aardman© Model Making Workshop: Morph
14:30 – 15:30 – At City Hall, Sunderland
Join us for a fun and hands on Aardman© model making session. You’ll be able to get creative with clay and make a Morph to take home with you. The session will be run by an expert model maker, who has worked on some of Aardman’s best loved productions. They have lots of great anecdotes and insights into the wonderful world of Aardman to share too!
Tickets for this event are £3 to cover materials needed for the workshop.
16/05/2025
Aardman© Model Making Workshop: Feathers
17:00 – 18:00 – At City Hall, Sunderland
Join us for a fun and hands on Aardman© model making session. You’ll be able to get creative with clay and make a Feathers to take home with you. The session will be run by an expert model maker, who has worked on some of Aardman’s best loved productions. They have lots of great anecdotes and insights into the wonderful world of Aardman to share too!
Tickets for this event are £3 to cover materials needed for the workshop.
17/05/2025
FESTIVAL FORMULA: NETWORKING EVENT & PANEL DISCUSSION
13:00 – 15:00 – At Holiday Inn, Sunderland City Centre
Festival Formula provides film festival strategy and submissions services to filmmakers world-wide. A leading light on the circuit and a trusted company, they’re active members of the Short Film Conference and the Film Festival Alliance. Mark Brennan (Festival Liaison & Strategist) and Esther Smith (Submissions Coordinator) will be in attendance to talk about the festival circuit and services on offer, plus host networking drinks after.
FREE ENTRY
18/05/2025
Women in Film: Changes & Community Panel
11:00 – Diego’s Joint
Rianne Pictures and the Women X Film Festival, presents an engaging panel discussion “Women in Film: Changes & Community.” A discussion with Alumni and featured filmmakers on the evolving landscape of the film industry, shifts in storytelling, representation, and new opportunities within the industry.
18/05/2025
Sunderland Shorts Film Festival 2025 Awards
19:30 – City Hall, Sunderland
We celebrate all of our selected filmmakers from this year’s festival and announce our 2025 award winners. Plus we have live music from the movies from the Houghton Brass Band.
Running Order:
19:30 – Doors
20:00 – Live Music from Houghton Brass Band
21:00 – Sunderland Shorts Film Festival 2025 Awards Presentation