The 2026 Programme
WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER – CLOSE-UP CINEMA, SHOREDITCH
8:00 pm to 10:30 pm OPENING – “ADVENTURES IN SHORTS 1” Q&A and NETWORKING DRINKS
Q&A with some of the filmmakers followed by networking in the Close-Up Bar.
A FILM ABOUT DAD – by Joe Murphy (United Kingdom)
Through an intimate lens, the film explores the quiet mourning of loved ones who are still with us, as the filmmaker’s parents face the challenges of Parkinson’s and Dementia.
(MUM) – by Jake Mavity (U.K.)
A homeless woman takes a feisty runaway under her wing and tries to reunite her with her family, whilst evading a drug dealer hellbent on revenge.
MY LAST DAY ON EARTH – by Pauliina Leskinen (U.K.)
A poetic sci-fi short following an astronaut’s final day on Earth, exploring isolation and the desire to disappear.
BARZAKH by Firas Ibrahim Anani (Lebanon)
In wartime Beirut, Dani tries to secure safety for his family while volunteering with local aid organisations. As sectarian fear closes in, he has less and less hope of protecting them.
DISTURBIA – by Mira Yankova (Bulgaria)
A strange human-bird hybrid undergoes constant transformation to cope with the omnipresent tensions of economic, ideological, military, and climate threats.
DROP – by Jonas Moberg (Sweden)
One late summer afternoon, Andreas and Lisa bump into each other in the hallway of Andreas’ home. He holds a bloody knife in his hand, while she hides something in her bag.
A STABLE FOR HORSES – by Davie Paterson (Australia)
As Remy prepares for a baptism by fire, his uncle recounts the legend of his father and the sad, violent tale of the Smith Street Sharps.
PERFECT BUNNY – by Kevin Joseph Bourque (United States)
A little girl endlessly redesigns her ‘perfect’ virtual bunny, never seeing the blood and catastrophe her whims demand behind the screen.
COFFIN THERAPY – by Zéré Turlykhanova (Kazakhstan)
In a desperate search for validation, a self-absorbed woman stages her own funeral as part of a radical therapy trend.
THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER – CLOSE-UP CINEMA, SHOREDITCH
8 pm – 10:30 pm MUSIC SHORTS, A FEATURE, Q&A and NETWORKING
A short collection of visually stunning music shorts, followed by a feature, concluding with networking in the Close-Up Bar.
MIMESIS – by Terry Blade (United States)
Blending speculative imagery with choreographic precision, the film explores imitation as instability, ritual, and becoming.
CHATON – WE ARE INVINCIBLE – by Marcus CB Soori (United States)
Set in a futuristic beach city on another planet in the galaxy, the multi-award-winning melodic techno artist Chaton returns with his second-ever single, “We Are Invincible”.
OUTRAGEOUS – BETTY LOU, HOT SAKÉ – by Charlotte Jacinta Grierson (United Kingdom)
Emerging from Blackpool’s riff-laden underground, the edgy and enchanting Betty Lou has been rewriting the rock and roll rulebook since the turn of the decade.
BEFORE THE DAWN – by Alexander Denysenko (Ukraine)
In this new reading of a traditional Ukrainian folk song, a young woman falls in love with a married man but walks away so as not to destroy his family. She now has two choices.
A.I. – by Foy Vance (United Kingdom)
If Art were a competition A.I. would win. And the only way for us to truly compete would be to celebrate the virtues of failure.
FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
OUR COLORS NEVER FADE – by Jim McSherry (Germany, Ukraine, United States)
This documentary feature explores the stories of LGBTQIA+ soldiers fighting on the frontlines in Ukraine’s war against Russia. Through intimate interviews and candid footage, the film reveals the bravery, vulnerability, and diverse experiences of these individuals, who, simply by their existence, challenge societal norms while defending their country. They have been specifically targeted by the Russians to be rounded up, put in camps, and executed. On top of this, they are also hated and harassed by many of their own Ukrainian citizens.
FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER – THE SOHO HOTEL CINEMA
8 pm – 10 pm SHORT FILM COMPETITION CONTINUES “ADVENTURES IN SHORTS 2”
The Best Collection of Short Films available this year. Part of the highly prestigious UK Film Festival Shorts Competition.
RULE, BRITANNIA – by Max Fisher (United Kingdom)
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.
FAMILY RETREAT – by Darshika Karunahara (Denmark)
Lameese joins her fiancé Morten and her in-laws at a spa retreat to celebrate his mother’s 60th birthday. What should be enjoyable festivities soon take an awkward turn.
SYNC – by Lubos Vacke (Czech Republic)
When his voice breaks during puberty, a promising teenage singer faces disappointment from his father . Can he still prove his worth and reclaim his place in the spotlight?
THE BRAVE SWING – by Cheng Chun Huang (Taiwan)
A deeply human exploration of what lies beneath a young boy’s silence, and the possibility of moving forward from trauma.
WEEKEND ONE – by Mykea Fairweather Perry (United Kingdom)
A 35-year-old father, moves into an unfinished flat with his two young sons, for a tough first weekend. Can he be the role model his boys need, while he’s barely keeping it together?
A SHOT AT ART – by Ilke Paddenburg (Denmark)
Two seasoned volunteers and friends Helen and Peggy always help at a prestigious festival. This year promises to be special – but as a famous performance artist is about to find out – it will be painfully special.
WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE MALAGA – by Sune Kofod Maglegaard (Denmark)
A cosy night on the couch turns sour when the talk turns to consent. A one-take drama in black and white about all the grey areas.
SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER – THE SOHO HOTEL CINEMA
7 pm to 8:30 pm – Screening of the Feature Film “THE OLD MAN”; Q&A with director Marc Hardman; followed by the AWARDS CEREMONY and AFTER PARTY
THE OLD MAN – by Marc Hardman (United Kingdom)
Two estranged brothers must re-connect, and suffer each other’s company for a weekend, as they take a road trip to scatter the ashes of their late father.
Starring Richard Glover, Jonathan Broke and Rachel Barry.
AWARDS CEREMONY & AFTER PARTY – Venue TBA at the screening
Awards Ceremony presenting the winners of each category, followed by an After Party from 9:15pm.
SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER – CLOSE-UP CINEMA, SHOREDITCH
3:00 – 5:00 pm – Screening of the Feature Film “FINDING MY VOICE” followed by a Q&A with director Arabella Burfitt-Dons and writer/producer Donna Taylor.
Networking drinks in the bar afterwards.
FINDING MY VOICE – by Arabella Burfitt-Dons (United Kingdom)
Melanie is a talented singer-songwriter on the brink of a life-changing opportunity – whether she can take it remains to be seen. “Finding My Voice” is not about a pop star becoming famous, it’s more about that critical moment when silence is no longer an option. This film is ultimately a reminder of the importance of telling our own stories, no matter how painful they may be. It’s about the power of finding your voice, especially when the world is finally ready to listen.