A comprehensive group of short films from around the world beckon again, with eager creatives keen to show what they are capable of. These have played at various festivals and are much sought out.

MOTHER / MADRE, directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, is the tale of a frantic mother whose phone calls, alongside her own mother, to both her stranded son on a French beach and the authorities. Quite suspenseful and based on suggestion, with a great performance by Marta Nieto.

TIME TRAVELLER, written and directed by Steve Kenny, is a touchingly filmed Irish short which tells of a young boy’s obsession with building a replica DeLorean from Back To The Future, whilst coping with the sadness of his gypsy family being asked to move from their current location.

BONBONÉ, written and directed by Rakan Mayasi , is a Palestinian drama about the relationship between a jailed man and his love – and their love and desire to have a child. It’s a thought-provoking drama and one with a valid social message from the region.

DEAR CHICKENS, co-written (with Jennie Allen) and directed by Mauro Mueller, is the tale of a young girl, Nora, (Kerris Dorsey), and an old man, Emil(Philip Baker Hall), who are at different stages of cancer treatment,who are brought together by the hospital. Their reluctance to deal with their condition yields a common bond and an unusual pay-off.

FRENCH, written and directed by Josza Anjembe, brings up the question of identity over nationality, as a French school girl comes into adolescent conflict with her father over her heritage and background.

ALL THESE CREATURES, written and directed by Charles Williams and shot in the Great City of Greater Dandenong in Australia , is the tale of a young boy’s concerns over his father’s mental state and how it affects him both in his relationship with his dad and in life itself.

WREN BOYS, co-written (with John Fitzpatrick) and directed by Harry Lighton, focuses on a gay civil partnership between two men, one of whom is in a correctional facility near Cork, Ireland and the consequences of their sudden union amidst this – with an equal parts amusing and shocking climax…

TWO STRANGERS WHO MEET FIVE TIMES, written and directed by Marcus Markou, is a tale of part-racial tension and misunderstanding as two males meet in various stages of status and situation as both lead their respective lives in London. It’s a touching film and reflective in how people evolve and change over time.

TWO BALLOONS, written and directed by the innovative Mark Smith, is another superb piece of animation, the tale of a male and female raccoon whose paths cross whilst they fly the two balloons of the title. An incredible achievement, with some wonderful creative design throughout, enhanced by composer Peter Broderick’s involving score.

Two Balloons

THE PRESIDENT’S VISIT, written and directed by Cyril Aris, is a Lebanese tale of a soap manufacturer, Nino, who is approached by the incoming President to provide his unique product as part of the leader’s own campaign trail of ‘cleansing’ throughout the country during his first term of office. Unfortunately, his little community , thanks to his uncle,wants to contribute as well, with amusing results.

THE HANGMAN, written and directed by Zwelethu Radebe, is a competently-made South African prison-based drama focusing on the relationship between a black guard and a prisoner, a son and father who have been reunited through the father’s imprisonment and how years of resentment have taken their toll on the bond and relationship.

SOULS OF TOTALITY, directed by Richard Raymond from a script by Kate Trefry and Ben Bolea, is an American/British co-production which taps into the world of a cult, the ‘Souls Of Totality’ of the title, and the conflicts and perceptions that being part of such an autonomous existence yields, particularly the effect it has on a male and female within the dynamic.

FAUVE, written and directed by Jeremy Comte, is the tale of two boyhood friends who compete in a series of dares amidst abandoned trains and railway tracks, only to dare a step too far when they trespass on an industrial quarry.

SACRED HAIR (CHEVEUX SACRES), written and directed by Mario Morin, is a subtitled Canadian short which focuses on the naïve perceptions of Arthur, a young boy, as he plays in a park, of a Middle-Eastern woman, Mounia, whom he talks to on a bench by a lake in passing. A touching story which reminds one of how misinterpretation can go a bit far.

WALE (pronounced ‘wal-lay’), written and directed by Barnaby Blackburn, is a dark urban tale, which focuses on the title character, who lives on a London housing estate and has more than his fair share of disadvantage, coupled with influential local friends. Here he’s two months out of a young offenders institution for handling stolen goods, but wanting to turn his life around by offering his services as a mechanic which he learned in the eighteen months inside.Unfortunately, his first client isn’t one he expected…

ON HOLD, conceived by Jake Nielsen and Matthew Predny, is a musical-comedy, a rarity in the short film landscape, as it is modelled on the recent trend of sing-a-long personified in the acclaimed big-screen hits LA LA LAND and THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. If the setting of a telesales agency ‘is it’ for you, then tap into this half-hour short which in turn both homages and subverts the classic musical concept (Be warned: It’s not one for the family!)

So, overall, more great and unique voices showing us the true depth of film-making talent which is out there competing for awareness and attention.

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Film and TV Journalist Follow: @Higgins99John Follow: @filmandtvnow