Event Type : Thriller

A medley of light and dark stories; insights and commentary on life in our time.

AN EXCESS BAGGAGE (Myriam Garcia Marienstras | France)

Sophie hides her unease within the intense bond she shares with her daughter, Lila. When Lila leaves for summer camp, Sophie finds herself alone for the first time, overwhelmed by separation and emotional dependency. As the day unfolds, she drifts through encounters and small gestures, trying awkwardly to fill the void. An Excess Baggage portrays a woman whose love, though sincere, becomes too heavy to carry.

ANGEL KISS (Will Thomas Freeman | UK)

Chuck is a lonely American studying abroad in London who finds his peace at the bottom of pint glasses. Wealthy and desperate for connection, he soon finds himself the target of a potential predator, a girl who has an eye on his wallet. Angel Kiss is a story of two different worlds colliding and unconventional connections being made.

BIRD ON A WIRE (Greg Roensch | USA)

“Bird on a Wire” is a surreal rumination on memory, imagination, love, and the state of the world. The audio for this short film is included on Greg Roensch’s 2026 album “Down at the Polystereophonic Dive Bar.”

DARKPOOL NO. 0036 (Josiah Newbolt | UK)

Darkpool follows Freddie, a violin player with Tourettes who is suffering from the cost of living crisis and the rising rents in London. He takes it upon himself to rid the world of his greedy landlord, Mike Simmons. Freddie is a confused loner in an unforgiving world trying his best to fight back. His Tourettes making him scary to people but he’s only truly looking to be understood and have his voice heard.

ENDOLIFE (Lisanne Van Ingen | UK)

Endolife is a short, hybrid documentary that combines the experiences of over 120 people with endometriosis into a single, scripted narrative. Instead of focusing on the medical aspects of the disease, the film illustrates how it affects daily life. Isolation, depression, and grief, but also transformation and hope, are key themes.

GAN CANNY (Lou Burns, Aaron Burns | UK)

A darkly comic, working class, North Eastern family comedy/ drama. Siblings 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. What follows is a clumsy grand theft hearse as the siblings decide to take Nana on one last road trip before saying their final goodbyes. What could possibly go wrong? Gan Canny is a dead funny tale of grief, grudges and Geordie culture. It’s heartfelt, it’s hilarious, and it’s deeply disrespectful in the most joyful of ways. What’s not to love?

HEATHEN LAND (George Turvey | UK)

It’s the day of the King’s coronation and Mrs Grinstead’s party plans are in fully swing, but when Slap, an eccentric young man, begins performing his latest sonic masterpiece it threatens to derail the entire day.

LAY ME DOWN (HMLTD) (Emmanuelle Mohnblatt, Sébastien Kirszenblat, Marie Deboissy | France)

Henry meanders through Wyrmlands, the remains of England consumed by the giant worm of capitalism. Amidst his despair, he recalls an act of kindness. As a child, innocent and loving, he saved an injured worm. Perhaps salvation is possible if he can reconnect with his inner child.

LIAR’S DEBT (Molly Gazay | USA)

A fixer to the political elite seeks revenge on a corrupt senator who wronged him.