Join us for a fun, family-friendly selection of British short films. An entertaining children’s film programme with fun characters and some cheeky twists and turns. Featuring animated, live action and super 8 films. The screening will be followed by a free 30min activity session inspired by the films. Activities are designed for children aged 5-11, but all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Festival activities are available to ticket holders only. Catching Fleas
Dir. Georgina Foiniki (12:30min)
Troublemaker Julia meets timid Ollie standing outside a shop window, staring at a Gameboy. Julia quickly takes interest and makes a deal… The Last Raindrop
Dir. Leticia Apa Ramos (1:48min)
A young girl forms an imaginary friend from the rain. CUEVA
Dir. Amelia Hodgetts (3:15min)
A short film about our prehistoric ancestors, the passing of time, and the stars above us all. Thirst
Dir. Jim Onyemenam (3min)
In this parody-western set on the hottest day ever, our thirsty swashbuckler ends up in a standoff with... a shaken up can of Cola. Naughty or Nice?
Dir. Ariana King (8min)
When nine-year-old Rowan turns up to school in uniform on a fancy-dress day, she wants to runaway and hide… Short Sighted Cinema CIC // The Shortest Nights film festival
BIFA qualifying 'The Shortest Nights' Film Festival returns 5-8th September 2026

Enjoy dramatic genre films and dark comedies in this thrilling two-part programme.
We’ll take you to the cutting edge of contemporary British filmmaking with edge-of-your-seat thrillers and horrors, finished with a palate cleanse of delightfully dark comedies. This screening includes a special introduction by actress and festival director, Gem Carmella (Gangs of London) and is followed by a Q&A with filmmakers, and an award presentation by Nicholas Vince (Hellraiser, Nightbreed). The Intimacy Coordinator (18)
Dir. Louisa Connolly-Burnham (20:53min)
Kate is an intimacy coordinator. She is also a sex addict. Latch (12)
Dir. Chelsea Walker (5:25min)
A woman who’s convinced she’s been followed home locks her front door - but is that enough to keep her fears at bay? Skylight (15)
Dir. Barnaby Boulton (17:30min)
A young couple attempt to salvage their failing relationship on a weekend getaway, unaware that they’re walking into a cosmic nightmare. Homonym (12)
Dir. Lily Howkins (17:05min)
Accused of murder, teenager Sam protests her innocence; claiming a malevolent presence in her family home is responsible. When She Sings (15)
Dir. Paul Holbrook (24:34min)
In a dreary British seaside town, a talented artist is haunted by a sinister mermaid, and terrorised by a coven of strange locals. INTERMISSION Gristle (15)
Dir. James Alex Thomson (14:06)
A cult writer with an online following must confront a past she's tried to forget when her estranged ex-lover reappears… Time's Up, I'm Afraid (12)
Dir. James Button (14min)
During a routine session a hypnotherapist discovers she may be the one who has been hypnotised. Mr. Vapey Man (18)
Dir. Hugo Docking (1:15min)
He’s full of juicy flavours. You’ll never get enough, if you let him give you.. Just. One. Puff. The Humbug (15)
Dir. Cole Paviour (9:09min)
Two elderly women in a care home grapple with magical mint humbugs, setting off an absurd journey through pleasure and peril. The Devil Is In Me (12)
Dir. Tia Salisbury (11:45min)
Late 18th-century England. A nightmarish teenager and a rookie Reverend lock horns over Sunday school attendance. Short Sighted Cinema CIC // The Shortest Nights film festival
BIFA qualifying 'The Shortest Nights' Film Festival returns 5-8th September 2026

Expect capers, cons and annoying colleagues in these hilarious, high-energy narrative comedies. This screening includes a special introduction by actress and festival director, Gem Carmella (Gangs of London) and is followed by a Q&A, and an award presentation by comedy producer, Janet Awe (Dreamland, Sideliners) Gan Canny (15)
Dir. Lou Burns, Aaron Burns (17:43min)
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. Muffins 'n' More (15)
Rich Farris (4:15min)
Elliot doesn’t have an anger issue, you have an anger issue! His method of shutting his rage away inside his head is working just fine, but it’s put to the test by a little old lady… Van Kampen & The Mosquito (12)
Dir. Scott Hurran (7:26min)
A seasoned hitman is forced to mentor his boss's chaotic, selfie obsessed, nepo baby turned assassin intern in a warehouse stakeout. Colette (PG)
Dir. Myles McAuliffe (4:30min)
She's got thirty minutes for lunch and a lot of phone calls to make… Duck Duck Goose (12)
Dir. Harry Redding (13:30min)
While working as children’s entertainers to supplement their slow-moving acting careers, best friends Jack and Bill decide to rob a house. Deli Meat (18)
BRICK (15:53min)
Two inept criminals, 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. Short Sighted Cinema CIC // The Shortest Nights film festival
BIFA qualifying 'The Shortest Nights' Film Festival returns 5-8th September 2026

Character-driven dramas from across the UK exploring male familial relationships with complexity, depth and cinematic flair. This screening includes a special introduction by actress and festival director, Gem Carmella (Gangs of London) and is followed by a Q&A, and an award presentation by Philip Ilson (London Short Film Festival) Gowk (15)
Dir. Ryan Pollock (15min)
Set in a decaying Scottish housing estate and based on a true story, Gowk follows a young boy as he begins to unravel a secret family wound upon visiting his mother in hospital against his father’s will. Chinaman (15)
Dir. Rob Chiu (12:38min)
Set in a Chinese takeaway in the north of England, 1989. When a group of customers turn hostile, a father and his eldest son are forced into a confrontation that exposes everything they cannot say to each other. Gumball (12)
Dir. James Murray (4min)
While down at the seaside, a father attempts to build the beginnings of a new relationship with his son. How to Wash a Body, How to Cleanse a Soul (12)
Dir. Luke Bather (19:47min)
The first time Jack ever sees Richard, his biological Dad, is two hours before Richard's funeral… Yellow Bucket (15)
Dir. Simon Brooke (15:29min)
A scientific discovery rocks Connor and his family. Short Sighted Cinema CIC // The Shortest Nights film festival
BIFA qualifying 'The Shortest Nights' Film Festival returns 5-8th September 2026

A collection of heartfelt, high-concept dramedies exploring the emotional fallout of events we can’t control. Expect witty, jaw dropping twists and outstanding performances in these shorts that are equal parts entertainment and catharsis. This screening includes a special introduction by actress and festival director, Gem Carmella (Gangs of London) and is followed by a Q&A, and an award presentation by Kyla Harris (We Might Regret This). Tell Your Face (12)
Dir. Jill Worsley (14:05)
Haunted by her late mother's praise of her smooth skin, Chikana hits 30 and begins to obsess over developing wrinkles concocting an extreme way to stop them in their tracks. Useless (12)
Ariel Heller (9:48min)
A man starts using an AI therapist and soon faces humiliating consequences. Truckload (15)
Dir. Aella Jordan-Edge (19:50min)
There are 12 steps to recovery following LIZZIE’s traffic accident (and that’s not counting the 50 stairs up to her flat). Full Fat (12)
Dir. Louisa Connolly-Burnham (9:27min)
Grace is in love with Bels, and Bels has a new boyfriend. Something has to give… The Sorrows of Young Charlotte (18)
Dir. Shir Ariya (13:32min)
Charlie is still mourning her recent break-up when she meets her friend Werther for a coffee. As she confides in him, their conversation takes an awkwardly flirtatious turn. Short Sighted Cinema CIC // The Shortest Nights film festival
BIFA qualifying 'The Shortest Nights' Film Festival returns 5-8th September 2026