Director: Ian Donnelly
Writers: Ian Donnelly, Richard Hearn
Producer: Ian Donnelly
Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Comedy
Overview: Carl's morning kicks off the way every hapless single mans does every week. Forgetting to put the bins out. He must race against time before the bin lorry arrives. What follows is a slapstick series of unfortunate events: Carl struggles with his clothes, the recycling bin, a small dog, and ultimately his own emotions as he looks for the chance of new love and companionship. As he tries to impress his new neighbour, he digs himself deeper into a self-made hole. The chaos peaks when a sentimental piece of jewellery goes missing, and his disapproving sister gets involved. Mixing quick-witted dialogue, absurd situations, and heartfelt moments, this short comedy reveals the beauty in life’s little mishaps and the lengths we go to find love…. and the correct wheelie bin….
Director Statement: In the summer of 24, a writer friend of mine, Richard Hearn wrote a short monologue for me, I filmed it and once completed, I thought "Hang on, this would make a great short film!" That was the genesis of 'Talking Rubbish'. We didn't set out to write a particular style or type of comedy, we just wanted to make people laugh - not such a bad thing in a very serious world? and in my humble opinion, not every film needs to carry a message. The film basically pays homage to all the comedy TV shows I grew up watching, like 'Some Mothers do 'ave em' 'Bless This House' and ''Man About The House'. It wasn't deliberate, I guess the very peculiarly British style just seeps in by osmosis over a number of years. Although only 11 minutes long, I wanted to make sure the film had a beginning, middle and end, with no unnecessary dialogue or 'shoe-leather'. Also crucial to the film was getting the best equipment, actors and crew we could afford on a limited budget to give it the best production value we could achieve. Over 50 years on set with both large and small TV and film productions, I always thought: 'Surely, directing can't be that hard? - I can do that..." - How wrong I was! Suffice to say, It was so enjoyable being on the other side of the camera, I'm now dead keen to do some more!
Director/Writer/Producer: Art Borowiec
Country: Poland, Spain
Genre: Horror
Overview: A lone FISHERMAN faces the relentless pull of a monstrous, storm-tossed sea - drawn back toward a ravenous beast lurking in its depths. Desperate to live, he will sacrifice anything, even his own humanity, in a fatal struggle for survival. Yet there’s no escape from the cycle of darkness already set in motion. This is a tale of eternal predation, not salvation. In the horror of 'Zombie Ship,' chiaroscuro reveals only what can be torn from the abyss, while the unknown thrives, undisturbed, in the suffocating shadows. The film plunges into the harrowing moral dilemma: how far will one go to save their life, when survival demands the ultimate price?
Director Statement: Zombie Ship is a haunting exploration of the survival paradox – are there any true limits to the fight for life? Our nameless Fisherman, fleeing death due to a failing heart, becomes entangled in a conscious leviathan made of the wrecks of devoured ships. This is not a haunted ship; it is a predatory ecosystem where victims become hunters, and salvation is simply another word for damnation. Visually, the film draws from the chiaroscuro of Caravaggio to mirror the Fisherman’s moral decay. Harsh light cuts through greasy shadows, revealing only fragments – as though the darkness itself is consuming humanity. The ship, a Frankensteinian collage of rusted hulls and shattered masts, moves with a grotesque biomechanical rhythm. The helpless crew mindlessly constructs the machinery of their own annihilation. This is horror as cultural autopsy. The ocean is not just the setting, but a character: an ancient, hungry witness to humanity’s worst impulse – devouring the weak in the name of self-preservation. When survival demands becoming another link in the chain of predation, what is the acceptable price of life? There is no redemption here, only the terrifying beauty of inevitability – the unbroken cycle of survival. Zombie Ship isn’t about monsters. It’s about the monster in each of us.
Director/Writer/Producer: Henrik Larsson, Jakob Arevärn
Country: Sweden
Type: Drama, Short
Overview: One day Pierre's TV breaks down, what at first seems like another setback will soon take him down a new road. Pierre West is a drama about hope and darkness, filmed over 17 years. Through Pierre’s isolated life and his unjust struggle with trauma, the film explores emotions that arise when the light at the end of the tunnel seems so very far away. A character-driven portrayal balancing hardships and inner demons with humor and longing. In an existence without compassion – how long can Pierre endure?
Director Statement: I see film as a delivery device for emotion. This film creates strong emotional response in the audience. That is what we set out to do when we started the project and thats why we, all these years later, are so very proud of the film. Epic in the emotions but intimate in its storytelling. I love how fragile yet always hopeful our protagonist is. /Henrik Larsson
Director/Writer/Producer: Sea-Hoon Jeon
Country: Republic of Korea
Project Type: Drama, Psychological, Family, Thriller
Overview: High school student SeeWoo was playing with his little sister, SeoYeon, at home when a water balloon thrown by SeoYeon accidentally fell out the window, resulting in the death of the child living upstairs. The only ones who know the truth are SeeWoo and his mother. SeeWoo hesitates out of fear, but his mother strongly opposes his desire to confess.
Director Statement: Through the protagonist’s suffering and anguish caught in the dilemma between guilt and family love, the film explores how heavy the weight of conscience can truly be. Despite being overwhelmed by fear, the protagonist believes that the truth must be told. Maybe revealing the truth and doing the right thing will finally ease the guilt. There is a saying that a family is a shared destiny. When something happens, they endure together, face the consequences together, and support each other. For the sake of a loved one, one must bear the heavy burden of responsibility and keep moving forward.
Director: Teoman Sayin
Writers: Teoman Sayin, Elijah Baker
Producers: Shamsa Akhtar, Elijah Baker
Key Cast "Nuro-Ross": Elijah Baker
Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Action, Romance, Thriller, Suspense
Overview: "Tapped" follows the story of Ross, a 23-year-old man with autism, whose life takes a tumultuous turn after his girlfriend, Clara, becomes a victim of a heinous crime. Struggling with the complexities of social interactions, Ross finds himself isolated, battling against his own challenges while supporting Clara, who is left emotionally and physically scarred. As the couple attempts to process the trauma together, they face external obstacles, including the inadequacies of the legal system and the struggle to claim disability allowance that would grant Ross financial support. Set in the vibrant yet harsh environment of South London, "Tapped" is a poignant exploration of love, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of adversity.
Director Statement: Tapped is more than just a film; it is a deeply personal exploration of resilience, love, and the barriers that society often places in front of those who need support the most. At its heart, this story sheds light on the struggles faced by individuals with autism and the complexities of navigating a world that isn’t always built to accommodate them. Nuro/Ross's journey is one of courage and survival—his battle to support Clara while facing his own challenges is one that many will relate to, yet is rarely represented on screen with the authenticity it deserves. I wanted to create a film that is not only emotionally compelling but also highlights the stark realities of the legal system, financial hardships, and the daily battles faced by neurodivergent individuals. My approach as a director is rooted in truth—I strive to work closely with actors to ensure their performances reflect real, lived experiences, having a son who has NKH has been the core of this film. South London, with all its beauty and harshness, serves as more than just a backdrop; it is a character in itself, amplifying the struggles and triumphs of Ross and Clara’s journey. My hope for Tapped is that it will resonate with audiences, challenge perspectives, and ignite conversations about justice, disability rights, and the need for a more compassionate society. At its core, this is a story of love and survival, and I am honored to bring it to life."
Director Fabio Servullo
Writer: Fabio Servullo
Producer: Fabio Servullo
Country: Brazil
Project Type: Experimental, Short
Overview: A woman in search of memory and identity dives into a surrealist journey where cinematic language itself is the vórtex of all reality.
Director: Mayed Al Qasimi
Writer: Andrew Pallett
Producer: Alex Di Cuffa
Country: United Kingdom
Project Type:Sci-Fi, Romance
Overview: Merald and Shaylyn, two skilled engineers, are part of a pioneering mission to the outer reaches of Earth’s solar system. When Shaylyn declines Merald’s invitation to dinner with his family, it seems like a trivial decision—until everything changes. A catastrophic failure in the Kepler drive triggers an emergency evacuation, and as chaos unfolds, Merald’s only thought is Shaylyn. Racing against time, he leads her back to his family, hoping to escape together—only to face unexpected betrayal. Forced to seek another way off the ship, they crash-land on a desolate moon, their fates entwined in a struggle for survival. With oxygen low and hope fading, Merald makes a choice that will define them both forever.
Director Biography: Eximo is a deeply personal film that represents my creative culmination of crafting a well-rounded, emotionally resonant story. Inspired by cinematic masterpieces like Bicentennial Man and The Shape of Water, I set out to build a world where the protagonist’s choices reflect the profound human dilemmas of love over wealth and acceptance of death over the anguish of loss. At its core, the story carries a philosophical metaphor: the spaceship symbolizes the protagonist’s body, and the Kepler drive represents their heart—an engine of both emotion and life. The film was an ambitious endeavor, shot entirely over seven days within the confines of a large studio. Multiple sets were built and ingeniously recycled during rest days to accommodate the evolving narrative, presenting significant logistical challenges that demanded precision and ingenuity from our team. The climactic final scene pushed the boundaries of technical filmmaking. From a meticulously constructed rotating escape pod to the surreal, all-black Enceladus sequence, every detail was thoughtfully executed. The black carpet was wetted to smooth out wrinkles, and 10-meter-high curtains were erected to block out the studio, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. These elements came to life through extensive grading sessions and a steadfast commitment to the film’s visual identity. Ultimately, Eximo is a dramatic ode to love and sacrifice, dedicated to my wife—my constant inspiration—and to the enduring bond we share as parents to our little twins. This film stands as a testament to the depths of human connection and the beauty of choosing love, no matter the cost
Director/Producer: Stuart J Tanner
Country: United States
Genre: Environmental, Political
Overview: Seeds of Sovereignty is a thought-provoking documentary that explores Mexico’s growing struggle with the United States to protect its biodiversity and food sovereignty. At the center of the conflict is U.S. pressure on Mexico to adopt GMO corn and industrial farming practices, posing a serious threat to the country’s traditional agriculture and environmental health. In response, the Mexican government and advocacy groups have mobilized to resist these efforts, sparking a powerful movement to safeguard food sovereignty, biodiversity, and sustainability. Through striking visuals and compelling narratives, Seeds of Sovereignty exposes the harmful effects of industrial farming in both nations and challenges viewers to reflect on a country's right to provide its people with safe, nutritious food while preserving its environment and cultural heritage.
Director Statement: Mexico is at a pivotal moment, fighting to protect its native seeds, land, and people from the threat of genetically modified crops and harmful agrochemicals. Seeds of Sovereignty is a film born out of urgency—a response to a struggle that is both deeply local and undeniably global. This documentary is about more than agriculture; it is about identity, resistance, and the fundamental right to shape our own future. Through compelling interviews and powerful visuals, we explore the legal victories and grassroots movements standing up to immense corporate and political pressure. We witness the resilience of farmers, scientists, activists, and communities who refuse to let biodiversity and cultural heritage be sacrificed for industrial agriculture. As a filmmaker, my goal is to bring audiences into this fight—not just to inform, but to inspire action. The battle to protect native seeds in Mexico is part of a larger fight for food sovereignty worldwide. Who controls the food we eat? What are the long-term consequences of prioritizing profit over people and the planet? Seeds of Sovereignty asks these critical questions, urging us to rethink the systems that sustain us.
Director: Julie Anne Burch
Writer: Julie Anne Burch
Producer: Julie Anne Burch
Country: United States
Project Type: Animation
Overview: Tiny Teaching Tales bring us a world of wisdom where parents and little ones can learn about love, acceptance, friendship and so much more through the power of wonder and imagination....stories of wisdom...for us all.
Director Statement: “The most important and profound pearls of wisdom are always the most simple, which is the voice I use to create these special tales” - Julie Anne Burch
Director/Writer: John Fahy
Producer: John Harris
Country: United States
Project Type: Comedy, Drama, Music, Short
Overview: Young tightly-wound accountant Harmony Hart brings her new boyfriend Felix home to NYC to meet her mother, the world-famous rock star Desiree Hart. The legendary diva and her entourage of colorful collaborators put Harmony and Felix through the rock n’ roll ringer, testing the limits of their budding romance. Rock N' Rolled is a rollicking dramedy in the spirit of Almost Famous, Bel Air, Ballers, Atlanta, Dave, and Entourage.
Writer: David Allen Case
Country: United States
Project Type: Feature Screenplay
Overview: An American conman is the only descendent of an Irish Castle and must convince a village he’s worthy of inheriting the prized historical landmark where Lancelot once stayed. *Story is based on a true-ish story found buried in family genealogy.
Writer: Jason Seelmann
Country: Canada
Project Type: Thriller, Drama, Short Script
Overview: No matter their origin, two lives in death are equal. John and Thomas came from two very different places before the virus infected nearly everyone around them. Now they are put side-by-side to protect the survivors. Can they put their beliefs aside to do what is right, or will that be their downfall?