A selection of the finest new short films from across the world, ranging from biting realism to surreal satire. Board games, Thanksgiving dinners and a dictator’s dog all play a part in this year’s short film competition, which explores the power and danger of relationships with lovers, friends and pets. Competing for a £15,000 prize named in honour of acclaimed editor Thelma Schoonmaker, this is a rich collection of World Premieres from a plethora of remarkable filmmaking talent.
– Lillian Crawford
World Premiere
Love Me, Hold Me, Always
Forced into homelessness after her release from prison, Chrissie searches for love in the margins of society.
Director: Hardey Speight. Narrative Short. Cast: Iona Champain, Rick Yale, Khia Greaves, Lucian Goble. United Kingdom. 2025. 15min. English. Unclassified: 15+. CW: Abuse, blood, death and dying, domestic abuse, mental illness, sexism and misogyny, sexual assault/violence, substance abuse, violence.
World Premiere
Stray
From nightclub to wilderness, a young girl seeks shelter from a world that feels hostile.
Director: Morven Christie. Narrative Short. Cast: Frankie Corio. United Kingdom. 2025. 16min. English. Unclassified: 15+. CW: Sexual assault/ violence, PTSD.
World Premiere
Blondi
Can a dog still be man’s best friend if that man is the Führer?
Director: Jack Salvadori. Narrative Short. Cast: Lexie (the Dog), Nicola Pedrozzi, Orane Stepczynski, Tim Bentinck, Richard Lingscheidt, Dominic McGrath, Benjamin Schnau, Ian Crosson, Chris Wilson, Andrea Colonna, Sefa Hauch. United Kingdom. 2024. 19min. English, German with English subtitles. Unclassified: 15+. CW: Animal cruelty or death, anti-semitism, racism, racial slurs, suicide, violence.
World Premiere
The Golden Squacco Heron
Two childhood friends search for the fabled golden Squacco Heron.
Director: Edward Smyth. Narrative Short. Cast: Adam Paroussos, Tatiana Delaunay. United Kingdom. 2025. 7min. English. Unclassified: Suitable for all.
World Premiere
Mother Goose
Recently widowed Janet hand-rears a goose for Christmas, but their bond leads to unsettling consequences.
Director: Joanna Vymeris. Narrative Short. Cast: Ralph Ineson, Sophie Thompson, Lois Mackie. United Kingdom. 2025. 13min. English. Unclassified: 12+. CW: Animal cruelty or death, blood, death and dying.
World Premiere
Fowl Play
A mother’s quest for a Thanksgiving turkey spirals into chaos.
Director: Anabelle LeMieux. Narrative Short. Cast: Capri Elaine, Elise Eberle, Joan Stein. United States. 2024. 12min. English. Unclassified: Parental Guidance. CW: Animal cruelty or death, violence.
World Premiere
Backstroke (Sırtüstü)
Burdened by pressure and isolation, a young swimmer finds freedom by reclaiming the water for herself.
Director: Asya Günen. Narrative Short.
Cast: Zeynep Kıvanç, Sevinç Trenova, Tansu Ataç, Özdenur Öztekin. Turkey. 2024. 14min. Turkish with English subtitles. Unclassified: 15+. CW: Sexism and misogyny, violence.
World Premiere
She Said So
A persuasive teenage girl orchestrates a sleepover that tests her best friend’s sexual boundaries.
Director: Madeline Clayton. Narrative Short. Cast: Valeria Cotto, Banks Repeta. Australia. 2025. 9min. English. Unclassified: 18+. CW: Child abuse or neglect, paedophilia, pornographic content, sexism and misogyny, substance abuse, violence.
World Premiere
Jodie
Jodie faces a moral dilemma as she contends with the harmful male influences in her life.
Director: Seb Tabe. Narrative Short.
Cast: Deba Hekmat, Timothy Innes, Ricci Harnett, Summer Churchhouse. United Kingdom. 2024. 20min. English. Unclassified: 15+. CW: Sexual assault, language.
World Premiere
Your body in my room (Tu cuerpo en mi habitación)
Knowing they will never see each other again, two former lovers are acutely aware of the passing of time.
Director: Axel Cheb Terrab. Narrative Short. Cast: Agustina Cabo, Alan Madanes. Argentina. 2025. 20min. Spanish with English subtitles. Unclassified: 18+. CW: Sexual content.