CFF: Best International Shorts

A showcase of international filmmaking talent, featuring the most innovative and adventurous ideas from filmmakers whose short films manifest stylistic boldness, strength of form, and the ambition to use the med ium in a way that resists cliché. Narrative and non-narrative competition work. 

The Head on Him Directed by Seán Gallen

A Coming-of-age Dramedy about a young, biracial boy who moves to Ireland in the '90s. He shaves off his Afro in order to fit in and it works...but then his Afro grows back, bigger and bigger, until it traps him in his room and he has to find a way out.

TAYAL FOREST CLUB Directed by Laha Mebow

"Ancestors! We’ve gotten stuck here. Can you help us find the way home?” pleads Yukan, an Atayal teenager lost in the forests of his forefathers. Taiwan’s first Indigenous female film director, Laha Mebow shares a coming-of-age tale that interweaves Tayal characters, settings, and symbols with the complexities arising from her community’s interactions with contemporary society.

That Night by Emma Miranda Moore

A rat transports us through the last vestiges of humanity as it forages for food for its family.

Confronted by a formidable threat, we discover the true magnitude of recent global events.

KEEP Directed by Lewis Rose

Gordon, the former keeper of a lighthouse now turned into a museum, is desperate for someone to help him maintain the site. When Musa, an Afghan refugee, comes knocking on his door, Gordon finally finds the helper he has been waiting for.

The two men become friends, confronting their respective cultures and pasts with humour and kindness.

The Trap Directed by Vitalii Havura

Ukraine, 2022. Kherson under Russian occupation. Son, who is involved with the armed underground, visits his mother to find out if she has given the Russians his whereabouts. The woman is certain that the occupation is actually salvation and that everyone should cooperate with the Russians. The mother and son quarrel. The already tense situation results in an unexpected twist as the son decides to leave.

End of Summer Directed by Weiqi Cai

Weiqi works are strong in style and cover a wide range of subjects and genres. He specializes in highly cinematic visual narratives. Creativity and breakthroughs are the most important characteristics of his works.

Still Here Directed by Álvaro Hernández Blanco

In the deserts of Baja California (México), Daria and Teresa are the last two speakers of the Ku'ahl indigenous language. In their world of oblivion and decrepitude, they lament the imminent extinction of the ku'ahl language and culture as the modern world moves on with indifference. But as long as Daria and Teresa converse together, ku'ahl lives.

To the top Directed by Julie Holliger

Somewhere in the mountains, far from the city and its people, on a summer afternoon.

Adam and Noah have known each other for a long time. At Noah's request, they decide to go to the top of a mountain (it doesn't matter which one).

Tickets: £8.00/£7.00/£4.50

A £1 Poly Fund payment is added to each ticket sold.

Please be aware films will start at the advertised time, we rarely show adverts and usually show under 5 minutes of trailers.