Screening of Finalists

5.30pm

Enjoy a selection of standout films across Animation, VFX, and Experimental Film. These remarkable works highlight the creativity and innovation of filmmakers from around the globe.

Animation Finalists

• Tiff by Sebastian Canning (UK): A young boy’s imagination erupts as he navigates parental conflict.
• Hot Mess by Tortor Smith (UK): A poignant exploration of ADHD and emotional abuse.
• The Holiday Maker by Harry Mead (UK): A whimsical stop-motion journey through dream destinations.
• Stressy Squishy by Katherine Fan (USA): A stress toy decides to take revenge on its inattentive therapist.
• Le Charade by Erika Totoro (USA): A psychological comedy about a mime’s psychotic episode in a 1950s diner.

VFX Finalists

• Me&You by Haosong Xu (China): A metaverse romance blurs the line between virtual and real emotions.
• Colors by Manju Subberwal (Canada): A tale of loss, love, and finding eternity through VFX artistry.
• In Depth by Stefano Moscone (UK): A surreal encounter on the tube amid societal tensions.
• Tsunami Scene by Johanne Nilsen (UK): The final major project from University of West London VFX student.

Experimental Film Finalists

• A City is Also a Wounded Body by Nikka Zavalia (Argentina): A striking visual record created on a smartphone.
• The Dance of Being by Paul London & Infinity Bunce (USA): A reflection on life through dynamic imagery.
• The Flow of Shadows by Hing Tsang (UK): A poetic exploration of ecology using shadow puppetry.
• Crave by Lois Norman (UK): A queer love story through the lens of a female artist’s self-discovery.
• The Last Run by Hardeep Giani (UK): A symbolic farewell to BBC’s iconic Television Centre.

Award Ceremony

6.45pm

Celebrate the creativity and talent of filmmakers across all categories, with awards presented for excellence in storytelling, technical innovation, and artistic expression.

Special Feature Screening

7.15pm

The Future Can Be Yours by Simon Ball (UK): A thought-provoking exploration of AI’s role in filmmaking, serving as the prelude to the panel discussion.

Panel Discussion: “Artificial Intelligence: The Future of Film?”

7.25pm

This discussion explores how AI is reshaping the landscape of filmmaking, from storytelling and visual effects to experimental techniques. Moderated by Andrew Sumner, the panel features experts from various facets of the film industry, offering diverse perspectives on the role of AI in cinema.

Panelists

• Andrew Sumner (Chair): Movie journalist, editor, and publisher. Andrew has written for NME and Total Film, published Uncut and Cahiers du Cinéma, and is COO of Titan Publishing and Forbidden Planet.
• Susan Stein: Judge for the Experimental Film category, Susan was a pioneering camerawoman at the BBC for thirty years, breaking barriers for women in film.
• David Leach: A lifelong comics and animation enthusiast, David grew up immersed in the world of cartoons and comic books, which continues to inspire his work.
• Simon Winstanley: A visual effects expert who began by crafting miniature sets and matte paintings for homemade Super8 films, Simon has a passion for solving creative VFX challenges.

Join us for this engaging panel as the speakers dive into the promises and challenges of integrating Artificial Intelligence into the creative process.

Rotating Screenings

27–30 November

Catch a selection of the festival’s films in the Upper Drawing Room from Wednesday 27 November to Saturday 30 November, 2–5pm.